pets aregood foryou... A report into

the benefits of pet ownershipJanuary 2003

Ask any pet owner why they should want to share their life with a petand you will get many different answers, but one common point of viewis sure to emerge. Quite simply, people like pets because they enrich their lives.

Humans are a unique species in that we seek out animals, not only tomake them serve us in some way but also for us to befriend and care forthem and in ideal conditions to let them become part of our extendedfamily.

In the 1970s, a great deal of research on the relationship and bondsbetween humans and animals was carried out by University psychologists in the U.S.A., the UK and Australia.

Working independently, they all came to the same conclusion: that petsacted as therapy by providing the ‘feel-good’ factor which is vital to themaintenance of mental health, for people in different countries, withdifferent life styles and conditions.

The research has continued through the years and this report illustratesthe many and varied ways in which pets are helping us today. But petkeeping is a two-sided relationship. If we are to fulfil our commitment to our connection with the animal world we must be constantly awareof the physical and emotional needs of our pets.

The Pet Care Trust, through its education programme and its members, is committed to pet keeping based on the concept of Responsible PetOwnership. When you read this report I know you will agree that this is the least we can do for the pets which continue to enrich our lives in so many ways.

Margaret Renton-FerrisBVA PTA Diploma LCGI

Foreword

Contents

The joy of pets 5Why we love them 7Animal magic —they help keep us healthy 9The healing touch 11A friend to learn fromand lean on 13Lessons of life 15Part of the family 17Comfort in the golden days 19Breaking the ice 21Heroes and legends 23A lifetime commitment 25Acknowledgements 26

How many pets?

69% of pet ownershave one animal

20% have 2 pets

8% have 3 pets

3% have 4 or more

Source: BMRB

Popularity stakesCats 7.5 millionDogs 6.1 millionRabbits 1.1 millionHamsters 860,000Guinea Pigs 730,000Budgies 750,000Canaries 260,000Other birds 1 million+

Source — Pet FoodManufacturers’ Association

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We love our pets. We enjoy theircompany and are fascinated bytheir behaviour. We instinctivelyknow that owning pets is good forus and as you will see, scientificresearch proves us right.

Humans are unique as the onlyanimals that seek to befriend and keep other species. Thisrelationship led to leadingscientist and conservationistEdward Wilson coining the word‘biophilia’ — the connections thathuman beings subconsciously seekwith the rest of life.

That’s one way of explaining whyso many of us are ‘driven’ to seekanimals for companionship andwhy we usually feel calmer orhappier when we interact withthem. There’s also somethingmysterious about them — the ability some animals appear to have to ‘know’ things beyondthe perception of human senses.

For example, cats may disappearwhen people are thinking about taking them to the vet, even before the carrying basketappears. Dogs may howlmournfully when their owner dies,even though they are not nearby.Pets are often highly attuned totheir owners and will go to greatlengths to find them or even save their lives. This love also has positive practical effects — it can heal, both physically andspiritually.

Animal lovers have been awareof this for some time and itis also validated by scientificresearchers.

According to Britain’s Pet FoodManufacturers’ Association (PFMA),almost half of all households in thecountry — that means more than11 million — have at least one pet.

Many homes have more than one.

The PFMA reckons that nearly aquarter of all dog-owners havemore than one dog (giving a totalpopulation of 6.1 million) andaccording to research conductedby the British Market ResearchBureau for this publication, 47% of dog owners own another type of pet.

Multiple-cat ownership is evenhigher, with a third of ownershaving more than one, makingcats our most popular pet at 7.5 million. (Well, that’sexcluding fish, of course — we have nearly 25 million of them in our homes!)

Guinea pigs, rabbits and hamstersare most likely to ‘share’ theirowners with other pets — usuallycats or dogs. Including fish, thePFMA statistics suggest we haveabout 43 million animals in ourhomes — that’s about two animalsfor every three humans.

The joyof pets

Dog owners with more than one pet 47%Cat owners with more than one pet 38%Rabbit owners with more than one pet 74%Bird owners with more than one pet 68%Hamster owners with more than one pet 75%Guinea pig owners with more than one pet 86%

Around a quarter of dog owners also have a cat51% of those who own a bird also own a dog.

Cats and birds are a less likely mixjust 17% of bird owners also have a cat.

Source: BMRB — October 2002

100 %

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Keeping good company — owners with more than one pet

Entertains me and makes me laugh 75%

Offers unconditional love 67%

Offers companionship and stops mefrom feeling lonely 66%

Reduces stress and anxiety/makes mefeel more relaxed 64%

Provides comfort and support in timesof emotional need 51%

Teaches my children responsibility and kindness 50%

Brings the family closer together 46%

Keeps me fit and healthy 41%

Makes me feel safe and secure at home 39%

Helps to fight depression 37%

Makes me feel needed and important 36%

Lowers my blood pressure 35%

Gives me a reason to look after myself 31%

Speeds up recovery after illness 30%

Helps me to make friends and meet new people 29%

Fills an emotional gap in my life 27%

Helps my children learn about lifeand do better at school 25%

Makes me visit the doctor less often 21%

Helps me around the house/offers independence 14%

Source: BMRB — October 2002

100 %

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Key benefits — what the owners say…

A survey by British MarketResearch Bureau (BMRB),commissioned for this publication,gives us a powerful insight intowhy people have pets.

The random sample of 1,015adults reflected general levels ofpet ownership, with about half of those responding having acompanion animal in their homeand with cats being the mostpopular, followed by dogs.

The main reason we own pets isquite simply for the entertainmentthey provide. Three quarters ofpeople surveyed agreed that theirpet entertains them and makesthem laugh. Not surprisingly, thiswas closely followed by the factthat pets offer unending affectionand unconditional love, with 70%regarding this as a key benefit.

Companionship and avoidance ofloneliness were mentioned by 66%of owners — more so amongwomen, older people and ‘bluecollar’ social groups. This is notonly due to the comfort derivedfrom the pet itself — ownership(particularly of dogs) is also seenas helping owners make friendsand meet new people.

Interestingly, most owners believethat their pets offer genuinehealth benefits, with 64% agreeingthat owning a pet reduces stress,anxiety and aids relaxation.This is particularly significant formen aged 45 and over.

Just under half of people surveyedagreed that their pets keep themfit and healthy, believing thatowning a pet helps to fightdepression and reduce bloodpressure.

One in five people even reportedfewer trips to the doctor as aresult.

The invaluable contribution thatpets make to our emotional well-being was also highlightedstrongly.

Half of the people we spoke tosaid that they look to their pet forcomfort and support in times ofemotional need, a quarter agreedthat their pet fills an emotionalgap in their life and a third

particularly value the fact thatpets make them feel needed andimportant.

The survey also underlines theimportance of pets to familieswith children. Not only are petsseen as bringing the familycloser together but 62% of thosewith families also value theirpets for teaching childrenresponsibility and kindness, witha quarter of people believingthat this helps children performbetter at school.

These findings support scientificresearch discussed throughoutthis report, which consistentlyshows genuine physical andpsychological benefits ofownership.

Whywe love them

“I own a one year-old cat called Pilchard. The main benefits I can see fromhaving her around is she acts like a friend, she is always there for a cuddle, shegreets you so eagerly when you come home from work, she (although very tiny)

helps me feel secure when I am in by myself as she is aware of every little soundand movement outside the house. She is a companion to my Kathryn — aged 5 —

and lets her dress her up in baby clothes from time to time. She is a source ofamusement to my partner Mark as she thinks she is a dog (she jumps across about

7 garden fences to greet Mark when he turns up in his van each night)!

”Lisa Carter, Liverpool

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Over many decades, researchinto the advantages of petownership has repeatedlysuggested that owning a pet cangenuinely improve our mentaland physical health. Thosebenefits identified so far include:

• Lower blood pressure andheart rate

• Reduced stress and anxiety• Less cholesterol and

triglyceride fats in the body• Better progress and speedier

recovery from illness andsurgery

• Better survival rates afterheart attacks

• Greater protection from someillnesses and fewer visits tothe doctor’s

• Reduced levels of headaches,indigestion and insomnia

• Lower frequency of allergies

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Our research says…

4 out of 10 agree that owninga pet keeps them fit andhealthy...

The health benefits of petownership are related to two mainfactors — the psychologicalbenefits of animal companionshipand the health boost from physicalexercise.

Heart-warmingThe impact of pets on potentialcardiovascular diseases(arteriosclerosis, angina, highblood pressure, high cholesterol,heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia)has been a major research focus.

For example, one of the biggestrecent projects, covering 5,741people over three years at theBaker Medical Research Institute inAustralia, showed that pet ownersgenerally had lower blood pressureand triglyceride and cholesterollevels than did non-owners, aresult that could not be explainedby personal circumstances, such ascigarette smoking, diet, weight orsocio-economic profile.

Other studies provide support forthis conclusion:• Pet-owning 40-60 year olds had

significantly lower levels of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Jennings et al)

• Simply being in the presence of a dog or petting an animal can reduce blood pressure (Friedmann et al)

• The long-term survival rate of pet-owning heart attack victims was significantly longer than for those who did not own a pet

On this latter point, researchers atTexas A&M University say thathaving a pet may decrease heartattack mortality rates by 3% andthe Animal Allies Humane Societyreports that a pet may be a morepowerful survival factor even thanmarital status or access to otherhuman support!

The defining piece of study in thisarea, by Aaron Katcher and JamesLynch, followed a group of heartpatients for several years duringthe late 1970s. Not surprisingly,the most potent factor influencinglong-term survival was thedamage to the heart tissue itself.

“Yet we were scarcely preparedto believe the second mostimportant variable,” Lynchrecalls. “Those heart patients whohad pets had a far better chanceof living than those who did nothave pets.”

One underlying factor behindmany of these discoveries seemsto relate to the way some petshelp reduce stress. For example,petting an animal is a rhythmic,repetitive activity — almost aform of meditation — which,according to Professor SamAhmedzai of Sheffield UniversityMedical School, has been shownto reduce tension and bloodpressure, increasing the body’snatural mood enhancing chemicalsand decreasing levels of cortisol,a substance associated withstress.

Similarly, watching fish in anaquarium can be as effective ashypnosis in cutting anxiety anddiscomfort during dental surgery(Katcher et al) while, in a recentsurvey for the American PetProducts Manufacturers’Association, 70% of respondents saidthat when they’re stressed orworried, playing with or confiding ina pet relaxed them.

The fitness factorPets, particularly dogs and horses,if we look after them properly, helpkeep us fit and healthy throughincreased and regular exercise butthere’s also evidence thatpsychology plays a part in thisfitness too.

Scientists at Cambridge University’sCompanion Animal Research Grouptracked the health status andbehaviour of 71 adults who hadnewly acquired a pet. Theyreported a significant reduction inminor health problems even duringthe first month and this wassustained for the entire 10 monthsof the study.

James Lynch sums up all of theseremarkable findings neatly:“Whether it is the enhancedreaction produced by pet animals inthe classroom when children readbooks aloud or the lowering ofblood pressure in the elderly whenthey pet an animal, or the roleanimals play in social support andlong-term survival of heart patients,the evidence is overwhelming.”

Animal magic —they help keepus healthy

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“The importance of animals to the well-being of people is becomingmore and more evident. This is especially true as we realize that at notime in history have so many members of Western society been devoidof healthy interaction among themselves and with the environment.Deprivation of nurturing opportunities and compartmentalization hasresulted in increased stress, depression, loneliness and overall seriouschallenges to the health and well-being of a significant segment of ourpopulation.Companion animals have refused compartmentalization and serve asnurturers for many people; they are also objects of nurture, promotingtouching, playing and sharing with few time restraints.

”Leo K Bustad, co-founder and first president of the Delta Society

ThehealingtouchAs scientists and researchersbroaden and deepen theirinvestigations of the apparenthealth benefits of pet ownership,one significant theory that hasbeen developed is the view thatactual physical contact betweenanimal and human is a powerfulinfluence.

One of the world’s foremostinvestigators of the human-animalbond, Aaron Katcher, points outthat the very word we use for acompanion animal — ‘pet’ — alsomeans ‘to touch’, while anotherleading authority, Leo Bustad,once said: “I believe there isoverwhelming evidence thathuman health and well-beingdepend on the quality of socialinterrelationships throughout life.”

This may be why using pets to aidpatient recovery or even tocomfort people in bereavement orthrough terminal illness is now anaccepted practice at a growingnumber of hospitals and nursinghomes. It’s officially called AnimalAssisted Therapy (AAT) and cantake many forms.

Sometimes, patients respond totheir own pets being brought into hospital for them but themost popular form of the therapyis called the Visiting AnimalsScheme, which involves volunteerstaking their own animals intohospitals or residential careinstitutions.

A survey of hospitals in severalparts of the United States(Montague) showed that averagemedication costs dropped from$3.80 (about £2.50) to just $1.18(80p) per patient per day in newnursing home facilities that haveanimals and plants as an integralpart of the environment.

Although for most people thenotion of a pet that providescomfort tends to conjure upimages of little furry animals, oneinteresting study (Eddy) suggestspetting almost any species mighthave a beneficial effect — notleast because this study showedhow an owner relaxed andlowered his blood pressure as hestroked his pet boa constrictor!

Other examples of recentlyreported findings include:• Pet-owning senior citizens made

21% fewer visits to the doctor’sand reported fewer headaches,less indigestion, less difficultysleeping and less depression. Infact, the study of 1,000 seniorsby epidemiologist Judith Siegelshowed it didn’t matter whatmedical condition they weresuffering from or how serious themedical condition was; thosewho had dogs for friends seemeddramatically less prone to seekmedical care, especially the kindthat really wasn't necessary.

• Children who own pets had stronger immune systems and tookfewer days off sick from school.

Researchers, led by psychologist Dr June McNicholas at WarwickUniversity, found the benefitsof owning a cat or dog are mostpronounced in children agedfive to eight — they get up to 18and a half days more schoolingper year compared with theirnon-pet-owning counterparts

• Children, in a Scandinavianstudy throughout the 80s andearly 90s, who had beenexposed to pets during the firstyear of life had a lower frequencyof asthma and some allergiessuch as rhinitis (Hesselmar)

• In psychotherapy sessions and inpsychiatric institutions, animalassociation successfully helpspatients work through theiranxiety and despair. (Holcomb and Meacham)

Overall, what is startling aboutthese findings is not just theimpact pets seem to have onparticular health issues ortreatments but also the sheerrange and breadth of the disordersthey appear to affect positively.

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Our research says…

1 in 5 people agree thatowning a pet reduces visits tothe doctor, rising to 40% among those over 65.66% of owners agree that petsoffer companionship and stopthem feeling lonely.

“If you had a row with a human family member, your pet becameyour ally, they were assumed to be on your side — and through lackof their communication skills, no one could argue any different withyou. The furry kind made good pillows to cry into when a teenager— my cats all have dents in them where I used them to cry on

”Claire McDonald, London

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Our research says…

Six out of 10 families withchildren agree that owning a pet teaches childrenresponsibility and kindness.One quarter say pets helpchildren learn about life anddo better at school

The bond between children andtheir pets is the stuff of some ofthe greatest movies and novels ofall-time. But although most ofthese are fiction, the relationshipsthey portray are often well-grounded in fact.

Pets, after all, are non-judgmentalplaymates who will provideentertainment and exercise ondemand. They are always willingto chase a toy, go for a walk,squawk or be cuddled. And sinceplay is an essential feature ofsocial, physical and emotionalgrowth for children, the role ofpets is potentially immenselyimportant.

There is clear scientific evidencethat children growing up with apet develop better socially andacademically and have a greaterrespect for all sorts of othercreatures.

The relationship can start when achild is a small infant. Very youngchildren usually talk to and hugtheir pets while others, from pre-school through to adolescence,use pets as attachment figures forreassurance in times of insecurity.The pet can become the child'ssafety blanket.

Pet ownership may help childrenlearn to talk, first by the animalseeming to be an infinitely patientrecipient of the gurgling andspluttering of the child and laterby showing response to commands.

Reviewing more than 20 years ofglobal research into the link, NewZealand academics Monica Kyoneand Kevin Stafford suggest thatteaching a pet new tricks mayhelp young children understandthat even small achievementsoften demand a lot of effort. Thiscan help overcome the frustrationof the child's own slow process oflearning a difficult task.

Owning a pet provides a childwith knowledge of animals,which, in turn, can lead to thechild learning more empathy andhaving a more humane attitudeto other beings in general. Pets help children learn aboutresponsibility; looking after ananimal builds the self-esteem of achild and makes him or her feelmore competent.

Owning and caring for an animalalso can give youngsters avaluable insight into broaderissues relating to the environment.

“Owning pets instils a senseof responsibility and understandingin children. Through this theyare more likely to develop a widerunderstanding of the naturalworld as well as the desire toconserve it.

”David Bellamy

Pets can also help bridge the gapbetween childhood and adult life,during puberty and adolescenceproviding comfort and stability,supporting the teenager who istrying to make sense of the world.

Youngsters can unload theirproblems, fears and concerns tothem without fear of beingjudged. Animals are always goodlisteners, never give bad adviceand are always supportive; wheneveryone seems to be againstthem — so often a characteristicof teenage angst and more sothese days as smaller familiesmean less sibling support — a pet may seem to be the onlyally, a best friend in the home.

In recent years, animals also havebeen used as a way of reachingout, bridging the gap betweenadults and children with problemssuch as Attention Deficit Disorderand autism and even those whohave been the victims of cruelabuse. And they’ve been usedsuccessfully as intermediaries inre-establishing person-to-personcommunications in the treatmentof people with drug dependency.According to Dr A B Charnaud,a consultant psychiatrist withCornwall Community Drugs team:“We find that once a patient hasmade an attachment to a dog,then this is the beginning of theirrehabilitation and through workingon this attachment and supportingit we can often then enable themto begin to form trust again with ahuman being”.

Seen from these manyperspectives, our pets are revealedto be almost essential companionsof the fascinating and challengingprocess of ‘growing up’.

A friendto learn fromand lean on

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Breath of fresh air

“I don't think you can really put into words howimportant pets are and how much they offer in termsof companionship, confidence and general well being.I think that children who grow up in a householdwith pets generally have more confidence and a betterunderstanding of responsibility. This was certainly truein my case as (depending on how strict your parentsare!) you are responsible for ensuring the well beingof another animal which teaches you important skills forlater life. Also, especially with dogs and horses, theyreally get you out of the house which is vital for all ages.A lot has been said about children not getting enoughexercise and fresh air — so having a dog really helps tocounteract this.”Sarah Dufton, Manchester

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Many parents believe that petscan help educate children aboutlife events. According to the DeltaSociety — a research organisationfocused on the human-animalbond — two such situations whereparental reactions probablyinfluence children is when ananimal is born or when it dies.

Children who have pets in thefamily will probably experiencethe death of an animal, a painfulexperience and the way in whichtheir parents and others near tothem deal with the situation willhave an influence on how childrencope with death in generalthroughout their lives.

Researchers have also foundevidence that attachment to apet — rather than just being ina household where there is ananimal — may be a particularbenefit to children. Dr NienkeEndenburg, of the University ofUtrecht, Netherlands told a 2002conference organised by theSociety for Companion AnimalStudies (SCAS), “Being attached to a pet is related to positiveemotional functioning and thepositive self-esteem of children isenhanced by owning a pet.”

What’s more, in an age ofcomputers and high-technology,pets can provide our children with a grounding in a more basicelement of life.

For example, the American PetProducts Manufacturers’Association (APPMA) reports that,when asked if pets create ahealthier balance with theincreasing presence of technologyin the home, 79% of respondentssaid ‘yes’.

Says APPMA spokesperson FundaAlp: “Nowadays, with kids eitheronline for homework or fun,playing with their Gameboy-liketoys or succumbing to the moretraditional technologicalinfluences of television, Walkmenand boom boxes (portable stereosystems), it can be hard toseparate your kid from all thegadgets. People seem to feel thathaving a pet, a real being to carefor and be with, helps balance thecold influence technology canhave on the home.”

And as our children themselvesbecome adults, pets past andpresent help to generate a strongand important link back to thoseformative years, reinforcing thewarm and positive memories ofgrowing up.

In fact, one could say there is asense in which companion animalscontribute, through the stages ofchildhood and adolescence, to theeventual shaping of the adult ina way that perhaps no human —parent, sibling or friend — can do.

Lessons of life

It brought tears to my eyes

“I remember overhearing mydaughter Natasha comforting Kara,our remaining rabbit, after thedeath of Doodles, Kara’s sister.Although only 5 at the time,Natasha was encouraging Kara tobe positive. “Don’t worry” shesaid, “Doodles is still here, it’sjust that you can’t see herbecause she has gone to live withGod and be an angel. There she is, up in the sky, watching overyou”. Such a beautiful, simplistic,peaceful vision, it brought tearsto my eyes.

”Belinda Phillips, Manchester

“Until recently, my daughters Kirsten (11) and Megan (8) — had ahamster called Cuddles, who has sadly passed away. Before that, we havehad fish and previously, birds. The benefits of these pets, I feel, is: Theycan be an introduction to some sort of responsibility to children (feeding,exercise etc). They give an introduction to life beyond dolls, TV etc. Theyoffer the opportunity to communicate with friends who also have pets, andthey are fun!

”Dave Hall, South Wirral

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Family harmony — the cat has stopped many a row...

“We have a gorgeous, fat, lazy cat. She is someone to come hometo and someone to stop us arguing — when we raise our voices she

gets upset so we have to stop and talk quietly

”Sandy Lindsay, Manchester

A focus for the family

“My two grown up children bothown dogs and every Saturday, weall meet to walk the dogs in thepark. I live alone and it has becomethe highlight of my week — it’s sonice to have the whole familytogether, watching the dogsplay with my grandchildren.

”Joan Miller, Bury

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Our research says…

Five out of 10 owners agreethat pets bring the familycloser together

Well-loved animals are not onlyregarded as real members of thefamilies to which they belongbut they can also play a role instrengthening familyrelationships.

They happily straddle generationgaps, sharing their time witheach and every member. Theydon’t take sides and they standoutside the normal hierarchicalparent-child structure.

Their welfare is often a familyissue in which everyone has astake and they are a subject ofinterest and discussion shared byall. Sometimes, magically, theycan be a spell-breaker with theirantics, demolishing familytensions and demonstratingaffection.

Dog ownership is associated withgreater family cohesion. A teamlead by British scientist ElizabethPaul found that when a pet isintroduced into the household,there is a marked increase, atleast initially, in the frequencyof children's interactions withother members of the family,especially through collectiveactivities like taking walkstogether.

Writing in Family and MarriageReview, A O Cain. asserts that more than half of familiesexperience an increase in thetime they spent together aftergetting pets. As many as 70%

reported an increase in familyhappiness and fun subsequent topet acquisition.

A survey of 60 families with petsranging from cats and dogs tomonkeys and goats, showed thatfamilies became closer as soonas the animal became part of the household. Researcher S. Duncan found children arguedless and co-operated more.Parents got along better, too. It seems that at least for thesefamilies, benevolence towardanimals and benevolence towardone another went hand in hand.

Of course, there are times toowhen pets actually are thefamily — that is to say they arethe ‘survivors’ after childrenhave grown up and left the‘nest’ or on occasions wherecouples have either chosen orsimply not been able to havechildren.

Research in this area hasdemonstrated that pets meet animportant emotional need andtheir well-being and status areregarded as every bit asimportant as that of their humanequivalents. The sense of‘parental responsibility’ thatmany owners feel is oftenunderlined.

Talking about taking their pet tothe vet’s, a respondent in astudy for the insurance companyPetplan said: “It makes me feel

motherly, monitoring my pet’sgrowth and development,” andon giving medication: “It feltgood as my pet trusted me.” And in a survey for the petnutrition division of Procter &Gamble, some 86% of pet ownersagreed or strongly agreed withthe statement “My relationshipwith my pet is intimate andaffectionate;” a third of all dogowners have their animalssleeping in the bedroom — withhalf of these apparently sleepingin their owner’s beds; some 88%of all dog owners play with theirpet; and almost 6 out of 10 of uswalk the dog at least twice aday.

No wonder nearly half thepopulation of Britain owns a pet.They help strengthen relationswithin a family, they bridge thegeneration gap and they sharetheir loyalty with everyone —and without judgment.

Part ofthe family

Chicken — from a veggie

“I have a cat, 14 years oldcalled Winnie, black short hair,long legs and a huge long tail. She is very very affectionate andgenerally quite good companyaround the house. She's veryspoilt, gets to sleep on/in thebed. We are veggie but we buyfresh chicken for her, she evengoes on holiday to Scotland withus. She leads a charmed life

”Jill Thomas, Cheshire

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Recipe for keeping fit

“We have always been a familyof dog lovers and believe thatowning dogs is the best way to stayfit and healthy. Although we areboth in our seventies, the dogsencourage us to lead active,sociable lives. We take the dogsfor a run on the field every singleday, rain or shine and have a circleof dog owning friends that wemeet every day on our walks. We are both fortunate in that weare so healthy.I can't remember the last timeeither of us needed to visit thedoctor. Exercising Bella and Sukeyin the park every day keeps usyoung and healthy

”Jeff and Jean McGilvray, Whitefield

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Our research says…

82% of all seniors say their petoffers unconditional love81% cite companionship75% say their animals entertainthem.

Agreement with every benefitstatement increasesdramatically with age and isparticularly marked forbenefits associated withemotional support and health.

There is no better example of thesheer joy of pet companionshipthan in the relationship betweenolder folk and their much-lovedanimals.

A Warwick University study of therole of pets in older people's livesfound that their pets benefit themby companionship, increasedlevels of activity and bettercommunication with other peoplebecause pets act as socialcatalysts. They also found thatpets help the elderly maintain selfcare routines, for example stickingto regular meals, keeping upadequate room temperatures andan added reason to make shoppingtrips.

The researchers said that pets canprovide valuable support duringthe early stages of bereavementbecause of the need for dailyroutines and by providing acomforting presence at a timewhen people feel a great sense ofloneliness.

In some cases the pets were whatthe researchers call a repositoryof memories — a reminder and linkwith the person who has died.

In a further study by A.H. Kidd and B.M. Fieldmann, elderly pet-owners were said to act with a greater sense of responsibility;they were regarded as morereliable or dependable, lackedegotism and self-centredness.Most were more helpful andbenevolent and were moreindependent and self-sufficientthan non pet-owners.

Surveying the massive volume ofstudies and research findings inthis field, Monica Kyone and KevinStafford say: “As people livelonger, the question of how tomaintain a dignified, sustainedquality of life becomes more vital.Pets can restore order to the livesof the elderly, provide a moresecure grasp of reality and linkthem to an intense emotionalrelationship.”

In this way, taking care of a petcan serve as an alarm clock forelderly people reminding them to take care of themselves too,says the Pet Information Bureau.

“In fact, animal companionshipcan dramatically improve thequality of life and may even havea positive impact on longevity,”it adds. “Animals also give us a much-needed natural outlet for touching and cuddling —especially to those who livealone.”

To a child, a pet may be aplaymate, but to an olderperson, an animal becomes a companion and confidant, a friend and an aid toindependence. Pet ownershipmeans exercise andresponsibility. The importanceand value of the animalcompanionship role is perhapsat its peak with our seniors,warming the glow of their golden days.

Comfort in thegolden days

Older people appreciate the benefits most

Total 65+Offers unconditional love 67% 82%Offers companionship/prevents loneliness 66% 81%Makes me feel secure at home 39% 52%Helps fight depression 37% 53%Makes me feel needed 36% 54%Reason to look after myself 31% 54%Fills an emotional gap 27% 52%Visit the doctor less often 21% 40%Helps me/offers independence 14% 33%

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The potential benefits of petownership are not only related toour physical and psychologicalhealth. They are also good for‘breaking the ice’ between peopleand strengthening friendships.In scientific terms, they have beendescribed as ‘social lubricants’ —smoothing interaction betweenhumans.

This is particularly the case withpets that get us ‘out and about’,notably dogs (40% of dog ownerssay they are more likely to makefriends as a result of owning a petsays Warwick University researcherGlyn Collis) but it also applies tohorses and a much wider range ofanimals through shows andexhibitions. Indeed, all animalsprovide an easy topic ofconversation among friends andrelatives.

Various studies have shown thatthe presence of animals in socialscenes — meetings, groups andleisure activities — leads to theinterpretation of those situationsas less threatening and improvesthe perceived character of thepeople associated with theanimals.

In social situations, people withpets are perceived in a morepositive light than peoplewithout pets and they are neverregarded negatively, even by nonpet owners.

In casual encounters or wherethere is a simple need to makeconversation, pets are good,interesting conversation subjectsand a safe topic betweenpeople.

When Peter Mesent of theAnimal Studies Centre studiedpeople walking a dog through apark, he found they engaged inmore social activity than thosewho walked without one.

There are also many areas wherepeople with a common interestin pets get together moreformally — for example, throughanimal behaviour training or atshows and competitions. Long-lasting friendships may result.

It is estimated that 14% ofowners visit dog shows, 5%participate, 5% are members ofdog clubs and 9% are actuallybreeders.

Interestingly, there is anecdotalevidence that many owners keep in touch or even become friendswith the breeder from whomthey bought their pet. Some 10%of owners involve their pets withobedience training and a thirdare involved in other activitiesor events with dogs. In fact, only 3% say they are not involvedin any specific activities.

When you think about it, theimpact and role pets play in theway we extend our circle offriendship and acquaintance isprobably considerably more than the socialising influences of most of our human friends,relations and colleagues!

Breaking the iceBest friends lead to more friends

“I personally have two pet dogs, two cats, six cockatiels and arescued pigeon in an aviary. My dogs and cats primarily bring mecompanionship, plus fitness exercising. Many of my social hobbiesrevolve around the dogs including activities such as showing and agilityso I guess they also help meet other people with similar interests

”Helen Reynolds, Dogs for the Disabled Instructor

A haven where the dogs can play

“My breeder has become afirm friend over the years. Sheruns a small Bed and Breakfastfor dogs and their owners in theYorkshire countryside. It’s a realhaven and we often go there forweekends so that Barney and Tesscan play with their brothers andsisters

”Lorraine Aitken, Manchester

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Our research says…

Almost one third ofrespondents said their pethelps them to make friendsand meet new people

'Hero' dog keeps lost 3-year-old warm all night— A three-year-old lost all night in the openin Washington state, USA, kept warm underher family's dog. Searchers found AiyanaPicard sitting under the family's dingo, Tip.Search party member Skumheist Jack said:

“A little dog popped its head up and therewas the little girl sitting under him. That dogis the hero

”

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Throughout history, there havealways been groups of animalswhose lives have been devoted toserving the human race.

Today the devotion and skill ofanimals who help us is widelyrecognised, especially thoseanimals — usually dogs — whowork tirelessly and intelligentlyfor the disadvantaged or disabled.

Best known examples are thosethat work for the visually impaired(almost 5,000 dogs), the hearingimpaired (about 700 dogs) or thephysically disabled (250 dogs).

Less well known are the handful ofdogs that work with sufferers ofeither Parkinson’s Disease or whatare known as periodic seizures.

Some people who have periodicseizures have reported that theirdogs appear to be able to sensethe onset of a seizure and can betaught to signal the owner of theimminent problem. Dogs workingwith Parkinson’s sufferers havebeen trained to identify what iscalled a freezing attack. It’s beendiscovered that if the dog touchesthe person’s foot it breaks thefreeze and he or she can thenresume walking. Science cannottell us yet how this works — onlythat it does.

Of course, the sniffing powers ofdogs are legendary and they are inwidespread security use today,notably for the detection of drugs

and explosives. But there’s more.A dog in Florida has beenreported to be able to detect aparticular smell given off bycertain skin tumours andresearchers at CambridgeUniversity are studying the use ofdogs to detect an odour associatedwith prostate cancer in urine.

There are also animals trained toalert their owners to episodes ofhypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)which allows the owner to correctthe level before serious symptomsdevelop.

In all of these cases, owners andtrainers still regard these animalsprimarily as pets, providing notonly real help and companionshipbut also a large measure ofindependence.

History is littered with tales ofthe heroism of animals — or simplytheir remarkable intuition whichhas forewarned of some disaster.

There are dogs trained specificallyin the skills of mountain rescueand others that specialise inretrieving people from water.

Yet others can scour collapsedbuildings or dense forests in thesearch for victims.

There is an award scheme, TheDickens Medal, which is the animalworld’s equivalent of the VictoriaCross. Five dogs received themedal during World War II fortheir services in helping to locateand rescue bombing victims. Dogs’ worst fear is fire, yet theseanimals braved blazing buildings in their search. Hundreds of liveswere saved, thanks to them.

In many more less dramaticscenarios, animals are our heroesevery day. But first and foremost,almost without exception, theyare of course, our friends.

Heroesand legends

Parrot saves flat by shrieking 'Fire’A parrot saved its Russian owners'flat from being destroyed by firewhen it raised the alarm.

“The parrot shrieked Firerepeatedly until neighbours heardand called the fire brigade.Firefighters arrived in time to savethe apartment

” 23

“She understands intuitivelywhen she is needed and is veryprotective. My four year old is a typically boisterous boy whoalways gets into scrapes. Lastweek, Holly stopped him fromdoing real damage to himselfwhen he fell off the banister —barking frantically to raise thealarm and cushioning his fall to save him

”Grant Miller, Manchester

Our research says…

Almost 40% of respondents saytheir pet helps them to feelsecure

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Animal companionship is a two-way relationship. Owning a pet isan important responsibility thatgoes beyond simply providing foodand shelter to include humanetreatment and proper standards ofcare and companionship.

The law already gives pets someprotection and the RSPCA hassuggested that pet owners have aduty of care which gives pets fivebasic freedoms:• Freedom from hunger and thirst• Freedom from discomfort• Freedom from pain, injury

and disease• Freedom to express normal

behaviour• Freedom from fear and distress

It is important to choose the rightpet for your lifestyle and to makesure you have enough time tomeet their physical and emotionalneeds — plus the costs of caringproperly for them. This includesproviding them with the rightenvironment — whether it’s akennel or a cage — paying formedication both for routine andspecialist treatment (or insurancepremiums to cover them) andmeeting the cost of care if you areaway from home and can’t takethem with you.

According to the Hertfordshire-based Universities Federation forAnimal Welfare (UFAW ), thewelfare of animals under humancare depends on the following:• Belief in the sentience of

animals (i.e. their ability toconsciously sense what is goingon around them)

• Understanding this is a morallyimportant matter

• Having proper knowledge of theanimal’s needs

• Having the ability and resourcesto meet those needs

• Applying these beliefs, abilitiesand resources conscientiously

Animals are increasingly part ofpopular culture, shown in filmsand on TV, creating demand forspecialist creatures among thegeneral public. Animals such asowls featured in Harry Potter, orturtles featured in Teenage MutantNinja Turtles need specialist careand are not suitable for everyonealthough given the correctknowledge and desire, they canmake interesting pets.

In recent years, more exoticanimals have become popular aspets. In particular, reptiles andtropical fish are increasing theirpresence in the home. Certaintypes of spiders and other insectsare also becoming more commonamong those who prefer more outof the ordinary companions.

The Companion Animal WelfareCouncil (CAWC) is currentlyundertaking a review of thewelfare of non-domesticatedspecies kept as companionanimals. Both the number and therange of species of animals beingkept as companions appear to beincreasing, it says. The needs ofsome species are relatively easy to meet, but caring for others tohigh welfare standards canpresent challenges

The advice to potential ownersis always to make sure you knowwhat’s involved — by doing theresearch, reading books and if possible, speaking to a vet,reputable pet shop or otherspecialist.

A lifetimecommitment

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AcknowledgementsWe gratefully acknowledge the followingorganisations for information linksand/or material used in this publication:

American Animal Hospital Associationwww.healthypet.com

American Pet Products Manufacturers’Association, Incwww.apppma.org

Animal Allies Humane Societywww.angelfire.com/mn2/animalallies

Animal Information Networkwww.animal-info.net

(The) Blue CrossAn organisation for the welfare of companion animals www.thebluecross.org.uk

British Veterinary Associationwww.bva.co.uk

Canine Partnerswww.c-p-i.org.uk

Companion Animal Welfare Council(CAWC)www.cawc.org.uk

Daily Telegraphwww.telegraph.co.uk

Delta SocietyA leading international resource for the human-animal bondwww.deltasociety.org

(The) European Pet Food IndustryAssociation (FEDIAF)www.fediaf.org

(The) Humane Community of Americawww.saveourstrays.com

International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations(IAHAIO)www.iahaio.org

Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association(OATA)www.ornamentalfish.org

PetEducation.comwww.peteducation.com

(The) Pet Food Manufacturers’Associationwww.pfma.com

Petplan (a member of the Cornhill Group)www.petplan.co.uk

Pets as Therapywww.pat-prodog.org.uk

Pets for the Elderly Foundationwww.petsfortheelderly.org

Procter & Gamblewww.pg.com

Second Chance for Animalswww.secondchanceforanimals.org

Society for Companion Animal Studies(SCAS)www.scas.org.uk01993 825597

Universities Federation for AnimalWelfare (UFAW)www.ufaw.org

University of Warwickwww.warwick.ac.uk

Scientific and research publications,references and sources

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,1984. Katcher A, Segal H, Beck A

Animal Companions and One YearSurvival of Patients After Discharge froma Coronary Care Unit. Friedmann E,Katcher A H, Lynch J, Thomas S A, 1980

Animals and Cardiovascular Health.Jennings J L (Baker Medical ResearchInstitute), 1995

Animal Assisted Therapy: Efficiency,Process and Service Standards. SCASpresentation by Prof S Ahmedzai

Benefits of Pet Ownership.Kyone M, Stafford KBiophilia: The Human Bond with OtherSpecies. Wilson E O

Companion Animals in Human Health.Eds: Wilson C C, Turner D C

Compassion: Our Last Great Hope.Bustad L, 1996

Developing a Physiology of Inclusion:Recognizing the Health Benefits ofAnimal Companions. Lynch J L

Does early exposure to cat or dogprotect against later allergydevelopment? Hesselmar B et al, 1999(In Clinical and Experimental Allergy) Does Pet Ownership Reduce Your Risk for Heart Disease? Delta Society, 1992

Dog Ownership and Control of BorderlineHypertension. Allen K, 2001

Dogs as Transitional Objects in theTreatment of Patients with DrugDependency. Charnaud A B (Published by SCAS)

Effectiveness of an Animal-AssistedTherapy Program in an InpatientPsychiatric Unit, Holcomb R, MeachamM, 1989 (Published in Anthrozoos)

Healthy Pets, Healthy People. AmericanPet Products Manufacturers’ Association,2000

(The) Implications of Service Animals inHealth Care Settings (American Journalof Infection Control). Duncan S L, 2000

Journal of Nervous & Mental Disorders,1983. Friedmann E, Katcher A H, Thomas S.

Journal of Personality and SocialPsychology. Siegel J, 1990

Montana State Univeristy. Duncan S

New Perspectives on our Lives withCompanion Animals. Eds: Katcher A H,Beck A, 1989.

People, Animals and Environment:Exploring Our Interdependence. KatcherA H, 1988

Pets as Family Members (Marriage andFamily Review). Cain A O, 1985

(The) Potential Role for Pets in ChildDevelopment. Endenburg N, 2002.(Paper presented to the World Scoietyfor the Protection of Animals)

Salem State College. Eddy T J, 1996

Texas A&M University

University of Cambridge. Paul E S.

University of Cambridge CompanionAnimal Research Group. Serpell J(in findings published by the DeltaSociety, 1992 and the Journal of theRoyal Society of Medicine)

University of Warwick. McNicholas J,Collis G (Various papers 1999-2002)

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