The Epidemiology of Human-Animal Interactions: Part II Health Benefits to Humans
Larry Glickman, VMD, DrPH and Nita Glickman, MS, MPH Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine
The Epidemiology of Human-Animal Interactions: Health Benefits to Humans of Animal Ownership
• Larry Glickman
and
• Nita Glickman
Human-Animal Bond: Definition
• “A continuous, bi-directional relationship between a human and an animal that brings significant benefit to a central aspect of the lives of each, which is in some sense voluntary and in which each party treats the other as an object of admiration, trust, devotion, or love.”
Traditional Roles & Functions of Animals
• • • • Sources of food & clothing Symbols (religious, cultural) Transportation & „Beasts of Burden‟ Companionship
Traditional Roles & Functions of Animals (continued)
• Units of barter & measure of wealth • Entertainment & sport • Security, protection, rescue
More “Modern” Roles of Animals
• Models for comparative medicine & biomedical research • Stress reduction through role as member of family & social-support network • Therapeutic, psychological & physical aids • Education, e.g., teaching nurturance to children
Proposed Physical & Psychological Impact on Humans by Pets
Pets are a source of: • Companionship • Love • Humor • Play • Exercise • Sense of power • Outlets for displacement & nurturance
• • • • • •
Companionship/pleasure Educational for children Rescued it Replacement of person or pet Sport Breeding
Reasons Reported for Families Obtaining a Pet
49% 11% 11% 7% 1% 1%
Concerning the Importance of Pets: Reported Responses
• Pet very important to family 96% • Increased family happiness & fun after getting pet 70% • Pet is a full family member 68%
Concerning the Importance of Pets: Reported Responses
• Pet of great importance to family members when they were sad, lonely, & depressed 68% • Pet communicated with family 73% • Pet understood when family members talked to it 77%
Attitudes of the Elderly Regarding the Benefits of Pets
• Talk to their pet • Pet helps when they feel sad • Pet helps when they physically feel bad • Touching their pet makes them feel better • Confide in their pet 95% 81% 71% 65% 57%
Magnitude of Pet Populations: European Community
% Households Owning Pets Dogs Cats Birds 41 24 5 31 24 8 25 21 7 16 12 16 15 18 6 14 12 11 22 19 11
Ireland France UK Spain Sweden GDR All Europe
Magnitude of Pet Populations: United States (1996)
Species Dogs Cats Birds Horses % of Total Population Households (millions) 31.6 52.9 27.3 4.6 1.5 59.1 12.6 4.0
Magnitude of Pet Populations: United States (1996)
Species % Households Total Population (millions) Fish 6.3 55.5 Ferrets Rabbits 0.4 1.9 0.7 4.9
Example 1: Association of Pet Ownership with Survival Following a Heart Attack
Ownership Survived* N (%) No Pet Pet No Dogs Dogs No Cats Cats 246 (94) 103 (96) 263 (93) 86 (99) 308 (95) 41 (93) Died N (%) 16 (6) 4 (4) 19 (7) 1 (1) 17 (5) 3 (7) 2 (p value) 1.07 (p>0.05) 4.05 (p<0.05) 0.19 (p>0.05)
Example 2: Pet Ownership is Associated with Decreased Physician Visits in the Elderly
Category Mean # Physician Contacts Per Year Dog Owners Many life events* 8.91 Few life events 7.90 (p>0.05) Non-Dog Owners Many life events 10.37 Few life events 8.38 (p<0.05)
Example 3: Value of Service Dogs for People with Severe Ambulatory Disabilities
Initial Score 1-year Score Mean (SD) Mean (SD) Self Esteem Dog Group 13.0 (2.1) 35.3 (0.6) Control Group 14.1 (1.2) 14.3 (1.0) P<.001 Psychological Well-Being Dog Group 1.6 (0.5) 8.0 (0.3) Control Group 1.8 (0.4) 1.7 (0.5) P<.001
Value of Service Dogs for People with Severe Ambulatory Disabilities (con‟d)
Initial Score 1-year Score Mean (SD) Mean (SD) Level of Community Integration Dog Group Control Group 2.3 (0.6) 2.2 (0.5) 25.3 (0.9) 2.3 (0.4)
P<.001
• Pet animals are an integral component of the social & environmental milieu of “modern” society. • Pet animals often are part of the family and social support network.
Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health & Epidemiologic Research
Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health
• Pet animals may positively impact human health and should be considered as important moderating influences in epidemiologic studies of risk & prognostic factors for human diseases.
Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health
• The mechanisms by which pet animals influence human health are not fully understood.
Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health
• Pet-facilitated therapy may be effective for treating specific diseases or chronic conditions & can reduce the cost of traditional health care. • Pets should be considered as alternative or complementary treatments for some diseases.
Important Questions for Future Research
• What is it about pet ownership that influences human health? • Who is most likely to benefit from pet ownership? Children? Senior Citizens? • Are the beneficial physiological responses of humans to animal contact sustainable over time?