Papotto, Elisa Maria Concetta, and Oliva, Jessica Lee (2019) Paws for thought: the importance of dogs in a seniors social intervention. People and Animals, 2 (1). 5.

Preview

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Download (671kB) | Preview

Abstract

As Australia faces an aging population with an unprecedented life expectancy, it is the community’s obligation to ensure seniors are offered resources to support their well-being. Studies investigating loneliness in aged-care facilities attest to the therapeutic properties of dogs for residents’ sense of well-being. Consequently, this study aimed to ascertain the effectiveness of a community-based dog lover’s initiative for the self-management of well-being among senior citizens. Our qualitative research investigated whether community gatherings including dogs would produce greater feelings of subjective well-being among senior citizens compared to community gatherings without dogs. A conventional content analysis provided support for the supposition that dogs address some of the unmet needs of senior citizens by increasing well-being. The multitude of benefits provided by this human-animal friendship undeniably merits inclusion as a community initiative aimed at improving both the well-being of our senior citizens and the health of the community at large. It is anticipated that these findings will inspire a new field within social gerontology dedicated to promoting the human-animal bond via community initiatives.

Item ID:	65923
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2575-9078
Keywords:	animal-assisted therapy, dog, well-being, seniors, community
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	The following uses are always permitted to the author(s) and do not require further permission from Purdue e-Pubs provided the author does not alter the format or content of the articles, including the copyright notification: - Posting of the article on the author(s) personal website, provided that the website is non-commercial; - Posting of the article on the internet as part of a non-commercial open access institutional repository or other non-commercial open access publication site affiliated with the author(s)'s place of employment (e.g., a Phrenology professor at the University of Southern North Dakota can have her article appear in the University of Southern North Dakota's Department of Phrenology online publication series); and - Posting of the article on a non-commercial course website for a course being taught by the author at the university or college employing the author.
Date Deposited:	09 Feb 2021 02:46
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520501 Community psychology @ 50% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5201 Applied and developmental psychology > 520106 Psychology of ageing @ 50%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 77 Last 12 Months: 8
	More Statistics