The%20Epidemiology%20of%20Human-Animal%20Interactions:%20Part%20II%20Health%20Benefits%20to%20Humans

1
The Epidemiology of Human-Animal Interactions
Part IIHealth Benefits to Humans

• Larry Glickman, VMD, DrPH
• and
• Nita Glickman, MS, MPH
• Purdue University
• School of Veterinary Medicine

2
The Epidemiology of Human-Animal Interactions
Health Benefits to Humans of Animal Ownership

• Larry Glickman
• and
• Nita Glickman

3
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.

4
Traditional Roles Functions of Animals

• Sources of food clothing
• Symbols (religious, cultural)
• Transportation Beasts of Burden
• Companionship

5
Traditional Roles Functions of Animals
(continued)

• Units of barter measure of wealth
• Entertainment sport
• Security, protection, rescue

6
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., teachingnurturance to children

7
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

8
Reasons Reported for Families Obtaining a Pet

• Companionship/pleasure 49
• Educational for children 11
• Rescued it 11
• Replacement of person or pet 7
• Sport 1
• Breeding 1

9
Concerning the Importance of Pets Reported
Responses

• Pet very important to family 96
• Increased family happiness funafter getting
  pet 70
• Pet is a full family member 68

10
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

11
Attitudes of the Elderly Regarding the Benefits
of Pets

• Talk to their pet 95
• Pet helps when they feel sad 81
• Pet helps when they physicallyfeel bad 71
• Touching their pet makes themfeel
  better 65
• Confide in their pet 57

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Magnitude of Pet PopulationsEuropean Community
13
Magnitude of Pet PopulationsUnited States (1996)
14
Magnitude of Pet PopulationsUnited States (1996)
15
Example 1 Association of Pet Ownership with
Survival Following a Heart Attack
16
Example 2 Pet Ownership is Associated with
Decreased Physician Visits in the Elderly
17
Example 3 Value of Service Dogs for People with
Severe Ambulatory Disabilities
Plt.001
Plt.001
18
Value of Service Dogs for People with Severe
Ambulatory Disabilities (cond)
Plt.001
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Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health
Epidemiologic Research

• 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.

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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.

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Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health

• The mechanisms by which pet animals influence
  human health are not fully understood.

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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 beconsidered as alternativeor
  complementarytreatments for somediseases.

23
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?