The Bond Between Humans and The Bond Between Humans and Pets:Pets:

More Than Meets The EyeMore Than Meets The Eye

Kelly E. Connolly, MSKelly E. Connolly, MS

For years there has been medical proof to For years there has been medical proof to show that owning companion animals, like show that owning companion animals, like dogs, cats, birds, fish, and rabbits, confers dogs, cats, birds, fish, and rabbits, confers

physical, psychological, and emotional physical, psychological, and emotional benefits onto the animals’ human benefits onto the animals’ human

caregivers.caregivers.

Mr. Rod Henderson and SandyNewport Center, VT

Partial List of Benefits:Partial List of Benefits:PhysicalPhysical

• Lowers blood pressureLowers blood pressure• Reduces bone lossReduces bone loss• Improves blood circulationImproves blood circulation• Decreases hypertensionDecreases hypertension• Slows loss of bone tissue/osteoporosisSlows loss of bone tissue/osteoporosis• Strengthens the heartStrengthens the heart• Increases heart attack survivalIncreases heart attack survival• Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levelsLowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels• Increases level of exercise Increases level of exercise • Link between pets and aging (some theorize)Link between pets and aging (some theorize)

– Cells change as a result of biochemical stressorsCells change as a result of biochemical stressors– Increase output of good chemicals with exposure to an animalIncrease output of good chemicals with exposure to an animal

PsychologicalPsychological• Decreases stress Decreases stress

– Presence of cortisol hormone indicates stress – so-called Presence of cortisol hormone indicates stress – so-called “bad hormone”“bad hormone”

– Cortisol is immunosuppressiveCortisol is immunosuppressive• Increases hormones related to good mental healthIncreases hormones related to good mental health

– Oxytocin, prolactin, dopamine, and endorphin – “good Oxytocin, prolactin, dopamine, and endorphin – “good hormones”hormones”

– Substances enhance feelings of well-beingSubstances enhance feelings of well-being• Increases mental acuity/”exercises” the brainIncreases mental acuity/”exercises” the brain• Increases well-beingIncreases well-being• Acts as a catalyst for social interaction/therapeutic Acts as a catalyst for social interaction/therapeutic

touchtouch– ““Icebreaker” effectIcebreaker” effect

EmotionalEmotional• Increases feeling of well-beingIncreases feeling of well-being• Increases sense of hopeIncreases sense of hope• Generates feeling of usefulnessGenerates feeling of usefulness• Increases feeling of responsibilityIncreases feeling of responsibility• Generates feelings of companionship and Generates feelings of companionship and

friendshipfriendship• Can give new meaning to lifeCan give new meaning to life• Eases feelings of loneliness (with as little Eases feelings of loneliness (with as little

as a once-a-week exposure to a pet)as a once-a-week exposure to a pet)

Types of ‘Helper’ AnimalsTypes of ‘Helper’ AnimalsAnimals used to help humans via

physical, emotional, orpsychological means

Service Animals - specially trained animals who help humans

with physical and/or mental (psychological or emotional)

Disabilities

Therapy Animals - animals usedto facilitate physical and

psychological interaction betweenhumans (sometimes a patient and

caregiver)

Animal Assisted Activities(AAA) – Animals used,

but with no measurable goalin mind (“Meet and Greet”)

Animal Assisted Therapy(AAT) – Animals are used

as part of treatmentwith a specific goal in mind

The Delta Society The Delta Society (Bellevue, WA)(Bellevue, WA)

• Improving human health through service Improving human health through service (assistance) and therapy animals(assistance) and therapy animals

• Pet owners : pets : caregivers = DELTA Pet owners : pets : caregivers = DELTA • Resource for research, education, Resource for research, education,

certification and training certification and training – Pet Partners ProgramPet Partners Program

• Steps to implementing an AAT/AAA programSteps to implementing an AAT/AAA program• Terminology can be confusing! Remember Terminology can be confusing! Remember

“service” vs. “therapy”“service” vs. “therapy”• www.deltasociety.orgwww.deltasociety.org

How Pets Help PeopleHow Pets Help People• In conjunction with proper treatment and In conjunction with proper treatment and

supervision, companion animals can motivate and supervision, companion animals can motivate and encourage afflicted individualsencourage afflicted individuals

• Companion animals can act as natural teachersCompanion animals can act as natural teachers– Teach responsibility, loyalty, empathy, sharing, Teach responsibility, loyalty, empathy, sharing,

unconditional loveunconditional love• Companion animals can act as therapistsCompanion animals can act as therapists

– Improve morale and communicationImprove morale and communication• Companion animals can act as healersCompanion animals can act as healers

– Help physical, psychological, and emotional helpHelp physical, psychological, and emotional help– Can be used as complements or alternatives to Can be used as complements or alternatives to

traditional therapytraditional therapy– Can be effective in treating both acute and Can be effective in treating both acute and

chronic illnesschronic illness

How Pets Help People How Pets Help People (cont.)(cont.)

• Companion animals can act as assistance animalsCompanion animals can act as assistance animals– Seeing/Guide, hearing, mobility, psychiatric (cognitive Seeing/Guide, hearing, mobility, psychiatric (cognitive

deficit, mental, or psychiatric deficiencies), seizure deficit, mental, or psychiatric deficiencies), seizure • Companion animals can offer social support, particularly Companion animals can offer social support, particularly

to isolated individuals and people living far from loved to isolated individuals and people living far from loved ones, alone, or who have outlived loved onesones, alone, or who have outlived loved ones

• Pets can help with many different groups of peoplePets can help with many different groups of people– Elderly Elderly – Mentally or neurologically impaired (Alzheimer’s, ADD, Mentally or neurologically impaired (Alzheimer’s, ADD,

autism, MS, epilepsy)autism, MS, epilepsy)– Physically handicapped (blind, hearing impaired, Physically handicapped (blind, hearing impaired,

accident survivors)accident survivors)– Criminal offendersCriminal offenders

Case StudiesCase Studies• CaseCase: Women with breast cancer showed improved recovery and : Women with breast cancer showed improved recovery and

mental health if they owned a pet (University of Warwick, cited by mental health if they owned a pet (University of Warwick, cited by www.deltasociety.org)www.deltasociety.org)

• CaseCase: People with Alzheimer’s disease ate more when sitting in : People with Alzheimer’s disease ate more when sitting in front of a fish tank (Alan Beck, Purdue University School of front of a fish tank (Alan Beck, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine)Veterinary Medicine)

• CaseCase: People suffering cardiovascular disease made less visits to : People suffering cardiovascular disease made less visits to doctors and hospitals if they lived with a pet (Paper presented at doctors and hospitals if they lived with a pet (Paper presented at International Conference of Human-Animal Interactions, 1995, cited International Conference of Human-Animal Interactions, 1995, cited by www.deltasociety.org)by www.deltasociety.org)

• CaseCase: “Happiness” hormone levels were measured after 30 minute : “Happiness” hormone levels were measured after 30 minute human/animal interaction periods and were found to increase (Dr. human/animal interaction periods and were found to increase (Dr. Johannes Odendaal, cited by The Latham Letter, Winter, 2004) Johannes Odendaal, cited by The Latham Letter, Winter, 2004)

• CaseCase: Children in a room with a friendly dog showed less distress : Children in a room with a friendly dog showed less distress and lower blood pressure and heart rate (Nagergost et al., 1997)and lower blood pressure and heart rate (Nagergost et al., 1997)

• CaseCase: UMN study found people owning cats had 1/3 reduced risk of : UMN study found people owning cats had 1/3 reduced risk of experiencing heart attack (dogs not studied although assumed to experiencing heart attack (dogs not studied although assumed to have similar effect) (2008)have similar effect) (2008)

• CaseCase: Presence of pets decreases stress more than presence of : Presence of pets decreases stress more than presence of friends or spouse (Allen, 2002)friends or spouse (Allen, 2002)

• CaseCase: Men with AIDS less likely to suffer from depression if they : Men with AIDS less likely to suffer from depression if they own a pet (Evenson et al, 2005)own a pet (Evenson et al, 2005)

Elderly and PetsElderly and Pets

“Pets can help elderly people keep an “Pets can help elderly people keep an active lifestyle and may help fill a void active lifestyle and may help fill a void

left by living alone or away from left by living alone or away from family.”family.”

- - Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant SecretaryJosefina G. Carbonell, Assistant SecretaryU. S. Department of Health and Human ServicesU. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Ten Situations Where Elders Benefit Ten Situations Where Elders Benefit from Petsfrom Pets

Dr. James McColloch (cited by Bustad et al., 1982)Dr. James McColloch (cited by Bustad et al., 1982)

• Chronic disability or Chronic disability or illnessillness

• DepressionDepression• A previous A previous

relationship with petsrelationship with pets• Role reversalRole reversal• Negative dependencyNegative dependency

• Loneliness and Loneliness and isolationisolation

• HelplessnessHelplessness• Low self esteemLow self esteem• HopelessnessHopelessness• Absence of Absence of

humorhumor

Sampling of Articles from The Delta Society Sampling of Articles from The Delta Society Regarding Regarding

Case Studies Involving Elderly PopulationCase Studies Involving Elderly Population• Influence of Companion Animals on the Physical and Influence of Companion Animals on the Physical and Psychological Health of Older People: An Analysis of a Psychological Health of Older People: An Analysis of a One-Year Longitudinal Study. P. Raina, D. Waltner-Toews, One-Year Longitudinal Study. P. Raina, D. Waltner-Toews, B. Bonnett, C. Woodward, and T. Abernathy, 1999. B. Bonnett, C. Woodward, and T. Abernathy, 1999.

• Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Healthcare Use Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Healthcare Use Among Seniors. P. Raina, B. Bonnett, and D. Waltner-Among Seniors. P. Raina, B. Bonnett, and D. Waltner-Toews, 1998. Toews, 1998.

• Pet Ownership May be a Factor in Improved Health of the Pet Ownership May be a Factor in Improved Health of the Elderly. D. Dembicki and J. Anderson, 1996. Elderly. D. Dembicki and J. Anderson, 1996.

• The Relationship of Loneliness and Stress to Human-The Relationship of Loneliness and Stress to Human-Animal Attachment in the Elderly. C. Keil and B. Barba, Animal Attachment in the Elderly. C. Keil and B. Barba, 1995. 1995.

• For Seniors: Pets Are Just Plain Healthy. E. Kane, PhD, .For Seniors: Pets Are Just Plain Healthy. E. Kane, PhD, .• Effects of Watching Aquariums on Elders' Stress. Mary M. Effects of Watching Aquariums on Elders' Stress. Mary M.

DeSchriver and Carol Cutler Riddick (40K, RTF), 1990. DeSchriver and Carol Cutler Riddick (40K, RTF), 1990. • Stressful Life Events and Use of Physician Services Among Stressful Life Events and Use of Physician Services Among

the Elderly. Judith M. Siegel (59K, RTF). the Elderly. Judith M. Siegel (59K, RTF). • Pet Ownership and Attachment as Supportive Factors in Pet Ownership and Attachment as Supportive Factors in

the Health of the Elderly. Thomas F. Garrity, et al (77K, the Health of the Elderly. Thomas F. Garrity, et al (77K, RTF), 1989. RTF), 1989.

Prisoners and PetsPrisoners and Pets• Prison Pet Partnership ProgramPrison Pet Partnership Program

– 1981 collaboration between a nun and a Washington State Vet School 1981 collaboration between a nun and a Washington State Vet School professorprofessor

– Washington Corrections Center for WomenWashington Corrections Center for Women– Train, board, groom dogsTrain, board, groom dogs

• Train service animals for physically and mentally handicapped humansTrain service animals for physically and mentally handicapped humans– Dogs can also become “paroled” pets, therapy animals, or used in Dogs can also become “paroled” pets, therapy animals, or used in

law enforcementlaw enforcement• Use dogs from local sheltersUse dogs from local shelters

– Can work towards Certification degrees for employment when they leave Can work towards Certification degrees for employment when they leave prison (vocation)prison (vocation)

– Learning life skills as well as benefiting from pets psychologically and Learning life skills as well as benefiting from pets psychologically and emotionallyemotionally

– Recidivism rate is very low, reports as “zero”Recidivism rate is very low, reports as “zero”– Post-incarceration employment rate is very high, reports “100%”Post-incarceration employment rate is very high, reports “100%”

• Triad Dogs Behind BarsTriad Dogs Behind Bars, Guilford Correctional Center, North Carolina, Guilford Correctional Center, North Carolina• Safe Harbor Prison Dogs ProgramSafe Harbor Prison Dogs Program, Lansing Correctional Facility, Kansas, Lansing Correctional Facility, Kansas• Second Chance Prison Canine ProgramSecond Chance Prison Canine Program, Arizona Department of Corrections, Arizona Department of Corrections• Prison Trained K-9 ProgramPrison Trained K-9 Program, Colorado Correctional Industries, Colorado Correctional Industries• Project POOCHProject POOCH, MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Oregon, MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Oregon• Maine, New York, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, ItalyMaine, New York, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Italy

Who Benefits from Pets?Who Benefits from Pets?• Benefits occur in people regardless of the age of Benefits occur in people regardless of the age of

their pets or age of persontheir pets or age of person– Children have strong bond with animalsChildren have strong bond with animals– Natural connection between senior people and Natural connection between senior people and

senior pets – shared characteristicssenior pets – shared characteristics– Males and females both can benefitMales and females both can benefit– Older pets have as much to offer as a younger Older pets have as much to offer as a younger

petpet• Benefits also occur regardless of type of petBenefits also occur regardless of type of pet

– Dog, cat, horse, hamster, rabbit, fish, turtle, Dog, cat, horse, hamster, rabbit, fish, turtle, snakes, etc.snakes, etc.

Who Benefits from Pets Who Benefits from Pets (cont.)(cont.)??• These benefits can even occur These benefits can even occur

in interspecies relationshipsin interspecies relationships– ““Sydney”, a depressed border Sydney”, a depressed border

collie, perked up when his family collie, perked up when his family adopted a kitten, “Oreo” (ASPCA adopted a kitten, “Oreo” (ASPCA Animal Watch, Spring 2004)Animal Watch, Spring 2004)

– ““Oscar”, the dog in England who Oscar”, the dog in England who was so sad when his cat friend, was so sad when his cat friend, “Arthur”, died that he went out “Arthur”, died that he went out during the night, dug up the during the night, dug up the body, and brought Arthur back to body, and brought Arthur back to his bed with him. Oscar cheered his bed with him. Oscar cheered up after a new kitten, “Limpet”, up after a new kitten, “Limpet”, was adopted (London Times, was adopted (London Times, January 2008)January 2008)

Where Can Pets Help?Where Can Pets Help?• Nursing homes and long-term care facilitiesNursing homes and long-term care facilities• HospicesHospices• Hospitals and short-term care facilitiesHospitals and short-term care facilities• Residential communities (apartments, managed care Residential communities (apartments, managed care

facilities)facilities)• Single dwelling residencesSingle dwelling residences• Prisons, correctional facilities, juvenile detention Prisons, correctional facilities, juvenile detention

institutionsinstitutions• Facilities for mentally handicapped persons (Westboro Facilities for mentally handicapped persons (Westboro

State, MA; Sunshine Friends in Central/Upstate NY)State, MA; Sunshine Friends in Central/Upstate NY)• Schools (“Boo” and Marc Oliviere; Tufts Cumming Schools (“Boo” and Marc Oliviere; Tufts Cumming

Veterinary School Reading Program)Veterinary School Reading Program)• Rehabilitation hospitals (recreational, occupational, Rehabilitation hospitals (recreational, occupational,

physical therapy)physical therapy)• Doctor’s offices – “On the couch”Doctor’s offices – “On the couch”

Pet AdoptionPet Adoption• Animal adoption can be have immensely positive effects on Animal adoption can be have immensely positive effects on

you and your patientsyou and your patients• Be truthful with yourself and ask, “What is best not only for Be truthful with yourself and ask, “What is best not only for

the patient, but for the animal?”the patient, but for the animal?”– Some situations are just not appropriate to bring animals Some situations are just not appropriate to bring animals

intointo• Other alternatives beside adoption (living with a pet) that Other alternatives beside adoption (living with a pet) that

can still confer benefitscan still confer benefits– Pet therapy (AAT/AAA)Pet therapy (AAT/AAA)– Service animalsService animals– Volunteering/visiting local animal shelters (if possible)Volunteering/visiting local animal shelters (if possible)– Visits to a zoo, animal sanctuary, nature walk, aquariumVisits to a zoo, animal sanctuary, nature walk, aquarium– Robotic pets (Purdue Vet School Center for Human-Animal Robotic pets (Purdue Vet School Center for Human-Animal

Bond, St. Louis U studies)Bond, St. Louis U studies)– Stuffed animals (“Huggy Puppy” Israel study)Stuffed animals (“Huggy Puppy” Israel study)

Pet Adoption Pet Adoption (cont.)(cont.)Some issues to consider before Some issues to consider before

adopting:adopting:• Degree of illnessDegree of illness

– Current state of mindCurrent state of mind– Any threat to the pet?Any threat to the pet?

• Physical, psychological, Physical, psychological, emotional illnessemotional illness

• Secondary supportSecondary support• Residence of patientResidence of patient• Primary caregiver of Primary caregiver of

petpet• Financial and time Financial and time

commitmentscommitments

• Type of pet best suited Type of pet best suited to situationto situation– Age, breed, sizeAge, breed, size

• Prior pet ownershipPrior pet ownership• Comprehension of Comprehension of

being a “responsible being a “responsible pet parent”pet parent”

• Future of the pet Future of the pet • Emotional attachment - Emotional attachment -

at some point, pet will at some point, pet will pass away (weigh the pass away (weigh the risks vs the benefits)risks vs the benefits)

Benefits of AdoptionBenefits of Adoption• You’ll save a lifeYou’ll save a life• You’ll get a healthy petYou’ll get a healthy pet• You’ll save moneyYou’ll save money

– Animal shelters and humane societies (SPCA, Animal Care & Animal shelters and humane societies (SPCA, Animal Care & Control)Control)• PublicPublic (most municipal shelters) vs (most municipal shelters) vs privateprivate (most limited (most limited

admission shelters)admission shelters)• ““Open admissionOpen admission” (Animal Care & Control of NY, Jefferson ” (Animal Care & Control of NY, Jefferson

Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana, City of Tulsa Animal Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana, City of Tulsa Animal Shelter, WHS) vs “Shelter, WHS) vs “limited admissionlimited admission” (The Humane Society ” (The Humane Society of New York, Bide-a-Wee, ASPCA, North Shore Animal of New York, Bide-a-Wee, ASPCA, North Shore Animal League, WARL)League, WARL)

– Breed rescue organizationsBreed rescue organizations• You won’t be supporting pet stores and disreputable breedersYou won’t be supporting pet stores and disreputable breeders

– ““Puppy mills” (Puppy mills” (stoppuppymills.orgstoppuppymills.org))– Avoid newspaper ads and Internet listingsAvoid newspaper ads and Internet listings

• You’ll feel better!You’ll feel better!

Proud 2 Adopt Proud 2 Adopt

• Program overviewProgram overview– Background and purpose Background and purpose – Website navigationWebsite navigation– Proud 2 Adopt care packageProud 2 Adopt care package

• Information and resources available at Information and resources available at humanesociety.org/adopthumanesociety.org/adopt

• Visit our booth in the Exhibit Hall for Visit our booth in the Exhibit Hall for more Proud 2 Adopt and HSUS more Proud 2 Adopt and HSUS materialsmaterials

Conclusion:Conclusion:Having Pets in a Person’s Life Having Pets in a Person’s Life

Can Be Good Medicine!Can Be Good Medicine!

ResourcesResources• HSUS materials and brochures HSUS materials and brochures • For more information on this and other topics, visit For more information on this and other topics, visit

our website at humanesociety.orgour website at humanesociety.org• APA, Vetmedcenter.com, Medline, vet and med school APA, Vetmedcenter.com, Medline, vet and med school

libraries (including online), AVMA, Internet Searchlibraries (including online), AVMA, Internet Search• The Delta Society, www.deltasociety.orgThe Delta Society, www.deltasociety.org• ““Anthrozoos” Anthrozoos” andand“Society and Animals”“Society and Animals”, journals , journals

dealing with the benefits of human-animal dealing with the benefits of human-animal companionship; www.societyandanimalsforum.org companionship; www.societyandanimalsforum.org

• Feel free to contact me at HSUS for any additional Feel free to contact me at HSUS for any additional information: kconnolly@humanesociety.org information: kconnolly@humanesociety.org

• Proud 2 Adopt website: Proud 2 Adopt website: humanesociety.org/adopthumanesociety.org/adopt • Questions? Thoughts? Stories?Questions? Thoughts? Stories?