Health Enhancement and Companion Animal Ownership
Abstract
The relationship between people and companion animals, on the one hand, explains the bites and zoonotic diseases that occur among those with companion animals and, on the other hand, appears to enhance the psychological and physiological well-being of many people. Presently, no less than 56% of households in the United States have animals, typical of developed countries around the world. It is well documented that people denied human contact do not thrive well. All indications are that companion animals play the role of a family member, often a member with the most desired attributes. Animals play special roles for children, aiding the teaching of nurturing behavior and appreciation of nonverbal communication. Ordinary interactions with animals can reduce blood pressure and alter survival after a heart attack. For some, pets increase the opportunities to meet people, while for others pets permit them to be alone without being lonely.
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Owning companion animals is vital for the majority of families, especially when children and the elderly are present.
“owning companion animals is vital for the majority of families, especially when children and the elderly are present [212,214]”
From Pet roundworms and hookworms: A continuing need for global worming (2012) · cites this paper as [212]
Those who own a pet have been shown to display reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, require less medical care, and have improvement of life quality and quick recovery after heartbreaking events.
“those who own a pet have been shown to display reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, require less medical care, and it has also been reported that there is an improvement of life quality and quick recovery after heartbreaking events [209-213]”
From Pet roundworms and hookworms: A continuing need for global worming (2012) · cites this paper as [212]
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- Authors
- Beck, A. M., & Meyers, N. M.
- Affiliations
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- ORCID
- Beck, A M
- Venue
- Annual Review of Public Health
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 1996-01
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 247-257
- ISSN
- 0163-7525 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-2093
- OpenAlex
- W2115197498
- Cited by
- 180
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 1.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Public Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
- Keywords
- companion animals, pet ownership, human-animal relations, health benefits of pets, psychological well-being, physiological well-being, zoonoses, animal bites, loneliness, social isolation, children and pets, blood pressure
- MeSH terms
- Human-Animal Bond, Family, Health Promotion, Humans, Ownership, Public Health, Quality of Life, Role, United States
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