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The companionship of pets relaxes and entertains people. In coming to know their clients, veterinarians can assess the importance of the pet to a family and the extent to which the family members benefit from the potential psycho-social effects of living with an animal.
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The animals are acknowledged to play a central role in children’s lives. They play an important role in behaviour during the formative years.
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During stressful periods in people’s lives, many studies have reported that pets offer meaningful comfort that is protective against depression and loneliness. Elderly people experiencing typical life stresses are less affected when they have a companion dog, suggesting that a dog can be a stress buffer that softens the effects of adverse events on the person. The interactive care giving exchanged with the animal allows the person to nurture and feel needed, while also feeling nurtured. The animal’s constancy bolsters courage during setbacks, as the animal’s affection is unaffected by factors such as the person’s physical capabilities or mood.
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Companion animals also facilitate social interactions with other people and positive social involvement. A companion animal provides a person who has few friends with an ally in making new human acquaintances, while also creating a richer family environment with enhanced companionship.
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Walking the dog and being outdoors where other social contact arises are two healthful effects of living with a canine companion.
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The daily comfort, socialization, and motivation offered by an animal also are associated with cardiovascular benefits. Blood pressure decreases transiently when a person relaxes with, talks to, or just watches an animal. Cardiovascular measures were better among pet owners than non-owners in a research study.
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Some individuals within human health professions, such as clinical psychology, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or nursing, have incorporated animal-assisted activities and therapy into their professional practice. Animal-assisted activities and therapy can be observed in some mental health settings where they are part of treatment.
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An emerging role of service dogs is as psychiatric service dogs, assisting persons with mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, or anxiety. Like all service dogs, these dogs are trained to perform specific tasks, such as employing tactile stimulation to facilitate recovery from episodes and creating a safe personal space for the owner. It has also been suggested that the relationship between the dog and owner is intrinsically therapeutic.
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Dogs have been trained to perform specific tasks in partnership with people. Some assist people with disabilities. Others assist in law enforcement, agricultural or bomb sniffing, search and rescue, or war tasks. Significant investments of money and time are required for the specialized training and development of working partnerships with these dogs. As they forge working partnerships with their dogs, the handlers inevitably become emotionally bonded.
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As in any intimate relationship, when an animal companion dies or is ill, people are likely to feel stress, sorrow, and grief.
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An extra burden comes in assuming responsibility for the moment of death by euthanasia.
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As an alternative to euthanasia, it is important to offer instruction in providing palliative care for clients who are prepared to offer it.
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Compassionate veterinarians include themselves in the circle of remembrance of their clients’ animals and respect the families’ regard for the animal throughout the relationship.
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Animals and people have been living together for thousands of years, but the past 100 years have been extraordinary in the amount of change in those relationships. In the last 100 years, people have markedly changed their perceptions, their relationships, and their uses of animals and animal products. Many of these changes have occurred in our lifetimes. Animals are now considered to be family members, no longer the outdoor dogs and cats on farms that were typical for many families a few decades ago. The human-animal bond has become a household term, reflecting the entry of dogs, cats, and other pets into our everyday lives.
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In addition to the growing awareness of the human-animal bond, the roles of animals have expanded into new applications. At the same time, the public is focused on ensuring that animals receive adequate consideration and care. Acknowledgment of the human-animal bond is fast becoming a cornerstone of veterinary practice.
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