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.

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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
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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%
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