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The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals
Joint Authors
Cherniack, Evan Paul
Cherniack, Ariella R.
Source
Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-11-16
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Many studies utilizing dogs, cats, birds, fish, and robotic simulations of animals have tried to ascertain the health benefits of pet ownership or animal-assisted therapy in the elderly.
Several small unblinded investigations outlined improvements in behavior in demented persons given treatment in the presence of animals.
Studies piloting the use of animals in the treatment of depression and schizophrenia have yielded mixed results.
Animals may provide intangible benefits to the mental health of older persons, such as relief social isolation and boredom, but these have not been formally studied.
Several investigations of the effect of pets on physical health suggest animals can lower blood pressure, and dog walkers partake in more physical activity.
Dog walking, in epidemiological studies and few preliminary trials, is associated with lower complication risk among patients with cardiovascular disease.
Pets may also have harms: they may be expensive to care for, and their owners are more likely to fall.
Theoretically, zoonotic infections and bites can occur, but how often this occurs in the context of pet ownership or animal-assisted therapy is unknown.
Despite the poor methodological quality of pet research after decades of study, pet ownership and animal-assisted therapy are likely to continue due to positive subjective feelings many people have toward animals.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Cherniack, Evan Paul& Cherniack, Ariella R.. 2014. The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034634
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Cherniack, Evan Paul& Cherniack, Ariella R.. The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034634
American Medical Association (AMA)
Cherniack, Evan Paul& Cherniack, Ariella R.. The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034634
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1034634