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The human-animal bond has been defined as attachment and
interdependence between animals and their owners, positively
affecting both. However, the bond also can develop when
animals are used in therapeutic interventions. Recent
research documents what was previously identified only
through casual observation; when people (especially older
adults) interact with animals, positive outcomes often
result. These outcomes are physiological, emotional and
spiritual.
Studies have shown that:
- After 15 minutes of humans quietly petting their
dog, both the humans and the dogs had increased blood
levels of phenylethylamine, "an opiod-like brain
chemical," endorphin, "the runner's high"
hormone, prolactin, "the bonding" hormone
and oxytocin, "the happiness hormone"
- Older pet owners had lower systolic blood pressure,
triglyceride and cholesterol levels
- Pet ownership blunted blood pressure responses to
stress better than ACE inhibitors in aging, hypertensive
stockbrokers
- Pets provided unconditional companionship and affection
for nursing home residents
- Watching fish swimming in an aquarium during mealtimes
helped nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease
sit longer and eat more
- Older Hispanic adults described their dogs as their
"best friends" and reasons for getting up
in the morning, that understood when they were feeling
bad and tried to comfort them
- Pet owners had significantly longer one-year survival
postdischarge from a CCU despite age and severity
of illness
- Dog owners walked longer and had lower triglyceride
levels than non-dog owners
- Older adults described their pets as fun, relaxing
and dependent, like their "own children"
- Having a pet in the nursing home improved older
adults' social interaction and self-concept
- Stronger pet attachment was related to decreased
depression, especially in bereaved elders
- Pet ownership influenced health indirectly through
improving morale
- Many hospitals and nursing homes in the United States
allow patients to be visited by their own pets and
also have therapy animal visitation programs
This information can help nurses to know that pets
may be important to older adult patients. Why not ask
older patients if they have a special pet? Would they
like this pet to visit them? What are the policies in
your facility regarding pet visitation? If no policy
exists, or one exists that prohibits pet visits, why
not work to create change? Often, prohibitive policies
are not based on fact, but on fear. With simple precautions,
there are minimal risks for patients and staff. The
research shows the benefits of interacting with pets.
Here's another way that nursing can make a difference.
Return to Puppy Power -
K-9 Correspondents
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