The Effects of Animals on Human Health and Well‐Being The Effects of Animals on Human Health and Well‐Be | Page 7

Intergrating the pet effect into general practice
Companion animals can be helpful in practical ways for patients with weight
problems, high blood pressure, susceptibility to stress and anxiety, loneliness,
depression and difficulty socialising. The psychological benefits are greatest
among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and the socially
isolated, chronically ill or handicapped, but these benefits can be highly
variable. Recommendations to patients, which may be as simple as increasing
the time spent with their pet (eg. walking the dog), have the potential to
become integrated into self management plans for patients with chronic
diseases. Incorporating pets into these plans provides an individualised way
for patients to be actively involved in their own healthcare.
Companion animals can also provide benefits in clinical situations. For
example, for children with particular conditions such as autism who are
usually distressed in clinical settings (eg. physical examinations or
hospitalisation), the use of companion animals has been found to decrease
procedure-induced stress, as well as help develop rapport between the
therapist and child. Guidelines for animal assisted interventions in healthcare
facilities have been developed by Lefebvre et al.
The level of attachment to a pet is important to determine, particularly for
older and/or socially isolated patients. For example, evidence indicates that
high attachment is associated with a reluctance to adhere to medical advice,
future avoidance of care11 and a failure to leave inferior housing conditions.
Such information is critical for patients who may need prolonged hospital
admissions, those who have difficulty coping alone and for patients who need
residential care.
Encouraging discussion
Information about smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity is
routinely collected when a patient's medical history is taken. The subject of
companion animals is rarely discussed. Asking patients in high risk groups
(eg. those who are overweight, depressed or lonely), 'do you have any pets at
home?', and determining the level of pet attachment, can provide a wealth of