Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How pets can help elderly people feel better
By Wilson, C C & Netting, F E·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1983·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Companion animals and the elderly: a state-of-the-art summary.
Plain-English summary
This research looks at how pets can help elderly people by providing companionship and emotional support. Pets can act as a friend and even help with therapy by making it easier for people to connect with others. However, the study points out that there isn't a lot of solid information available because many studies haven't been repeated or thoroughly checked, and most have focused only on people in care facilities. The researchers suggest that more studies should be done to explore how pets can improve the overall health and well-being of older adults. Overall, while pets can be beneficial for the elderly, more research is needed to fully understand their impact.
Abstract
The human/animal relationship exhibited by the elderly and their pets has limitations as well as potentials. The functions of a pet as a companion and social facilitator in pet-facilitated psychotherapy include serving as a cotherapist for facilitation of rapport, providing companionship, substituting for close interpersonal relationships (ie, significant others), enhancing the health status of a variety of target groups, increasing opportunity for sensory stimulation, and providing emotional support and a sense of well-being. Available information was limited because few studies have been replicated, data were not validated, and previous studies were restricted mainly to institutionalized or therapeutic environments. Implications for future research include use of animals for companionship and to promote the physical, social, and emotional health of the elderly.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6360967/