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

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.

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

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  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%

  12. Magnitude of Pet Populations:European Community

  13. Magnitude of Pet Populations:United States (1996)

  14. Magnitude of Pet Populations:United 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 P<.001 P<.001

  18. Value of Service Dogs for People with Severe Ambulatory Disabilities (con’d) P<.001

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. Implications of Pet Ownership for Human Health • The mechanisms by which pet animals influence human health are not fully understood.

  22. 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?

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