How the Human-Animal Bond Can Impact Pet Acquisition, Welfare, Relinquishment and Retention

Transcription

1 How the Human-Animal Bond Can Impact Pet Acquisition, Welfare, Relinquishment and Retention

2 Overview About HABRI The Human-Animal Bond What the Says What Pet Owners Say What We Are Doing About It The Future 2

3 My Background

4 Wellness

5 Vision The human-animal bond is universally embraced as an essential element of human wellness. 5

6 Unifying the Pet Care Community

7 About HABRI World s largest human-animal interaction database Advocacy Education Funding new, innovative research (21 projects in 4 years) Legislative and policy initiatives Public outreach Veterinary education 7

8 The Human-Animal Bond "Dewey, He was only a cat, but he was human enough to be a great comfort in hours of loneliness and pain."

9 The Human-Animal Bond

10 The Human-Animal Bond

11 The Human-Animal Bond Observation It s no wonder that a history of staring at animals has left us with a brain that can t help but seek them out and understand them. -Meg Daley Olmert

12 The Human-Animal Bond Mirror Neurons

13 The Human-Animal Bond

14 The Human-Animal Bond

15 The Human-Animal Bond Neoteny Beck, A.M The biology of the human animal bond. Anim. Front. 4:32 36.

16 The Human-Animal Bond This is your Brain on Dog! Neurochemicals Phenylethylamine (Elation) Dopamine (Energized) Endorphin (Runner High) Oxytocin (Happiness) Prolactin (Nurture) Cortisol (Stress) Human W/Own Dog ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ v Dog ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ v - Odendaal, J. S. (2000). Animal assisted therapy magic or medicine? Journal of Psychosomatic, 49,

17 The Human-Animal Bond

18 The Human-Animal Bond All future studies of human health should consider the presence or absence of a pet in the home and, perhaps, the nature of this relationship with the pet, as a significant variable. No future study of human health should be considered as comprehensive if the animals with which they share their lives are not included. NIH Consensus Development Program: The Health Benefits of Pets National Institutes of Health,

19 Child Health and Development Autism Allergies/Immunity/Asthma Learning Mental Health and Wellness PTSD Depression Social Capital Healthy Aging Cardiovascular Health/Obesity Loneliness Dementia/Alzheimer s Disease www. HABRICentral.org 19

20 Animal Assisted Social Skills Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Joanna Becker, PhD, (Green Chimneys) Results Children exhibited a greater level of change in social skills, perspective taking, theory of mind, and decreased feelings of isolation and depression Children exhibited fewer social skills deficits overall, fewer restricted and repetitive behaviors, more typical social communication The inclusion of dogs in social skills training is more effective than traditional programs Becker, Joanna L., Rogers, Erica C., Burrows Bethany. Animal-assisted Social Skills Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Anthrozoös 30.2 (2017): Web. 17 May 2017.

21 Randomized Controlled Theory-based, -mediated Walking Intervention: Differences Between Dog Owners And Non-dog Owners Elizabeth Richards, PhD, MSN, RN, CHES (Indiana University-Purdue) Results + Dog = Increased Physical Activity Dog owners accumulated significantly more walking minutes per week than non-dog owners Richards, Elizabeth A., Niwako Ogata, and Ching-Wei Cheng. "Randomized Controlled Theory-Based, -Mediated Walking Intervention Differences Between Dog Owners and Non-Dog Owners." Clinical Nursing (2016):

22 Asking About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care: A Pilot Study Kate Hodgson, DVM, MHSc, CCMEP, Marcia Darling, BSc(Hons), Douglas Freeman, DVM, PhD, DipACT, Alan Monavvari, MD, MHSc, CCFP, CHE, CPHQ Results Patients are open to talking to their healthcare providers about their pets Asking about pets reveals important and clinically relevant information about patients, and how they live Asking about pets strengthens the patient-provider therapeutic alliance Kate Hodgson, DVM, MHSc, CCMEP, Marcia Darling, BSc(Hons), Douglas Freeman, DVM, PhD, DipACT, Alan Monavvari, MD, MHSc, CCFP, CHE, CPHQ. Asking About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care: A Pilot Study INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 54 (2017). Web. 6 October

23 Pets are good for your heart The American Heart Association has issued a scientific statement that pet ownership improves heart health Pet owners have significantly lower systolic blood pressure than non-pet owners Owning a cat makes you more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack. Non-cat owners had 40% greater likelihood of death Levine, Glenn N., et al. "Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association." Circulation (2013):

24 2017 Grants Healthy Aging: human companionship through fostering felines Heidi Ewen, PhD (University of Georgia Foundation) The health and developmental benefits of companion animals for young children: advancing the evidence base Hayley Christian, PhD (The University of Western Australia) Shelter cat adoption in families of children with autism: impact on children s social skills and anxiety as well as cat stress Gretchen Carlisle, PhD (University of Missouri) Integration of AAI and applied behavior analysis to improve academic performance in children with intellectual and/or developmental disability Alexandra Protopopova, PhD (Texas Tech University) 24

25 Public Opinion What do pet owners know about the science of the human-animal bond? Will this knowledge effect there behavior? 25

26 Public Opinion Survey details: 2,000 interview May, 2016 Margin of Error = +2.2% 41 question, online questionnaire Generationally balanced: Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and Older Americans 26

27 Public Opinion Survey: Type of Pets Percent of pet owners who own at least one 72% 57% 13% 8% 4% Reptile (3%), Horse (2%), Other (1%) *62% reported having multiple pets 27

28 Public Opinion Awareness Have you ever heard about scientific research on the human-animal bond that demonstrates pet ownership can help improve physical or mental health in people? 29% 71% Yes No 28

29 Public Opinion Awareness of Scientific that Pets Can Improve Human Health by Generation Total Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers Greatest/Silent Reduce stress 88% 85% 87% 91% 89% Reduce depression 86% 83% 85% 89% 87% Reduce anxiety 84% 78% 82% 88% 88% Enhance well-being 81% 74% 81% 84% 82% Help with conditions like PTSD in war veterans Pets benefit from the human-animal bond as much as people 80% 77% 75% 75% 80% 78% 81% 79% 75% 82% Help promote healthy aging 68% 59% 65% 72% 74% 29

30 Public Opinion Awareness of Scientific that Pets Can Improve Human Health by Generation Total Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers Greatest/Silent Help with conditions like autism 65% 61% 66% 66% 67% Improve heart health 60% 61% 62% 59% 57% Help with conditions like Alzheimer's disease 56% 56% 57% 51% 57% Support child cognitive development, reading skills 47% 55% 50% 39% 38% Support classroom learning 45% 52% 48% 43% 38% Help prevent child allergies 32% 45% 34% 25% 22% 30

31 Public Opinion Would you be more or less likely to visit a veterinarian who discussed with you the health benefits of the human-animal bond? 1 Millennials Generation X 38% 30% 20% 27% 50% 31% Much more likely Somewhat more likely About the same Somewhat less likely Much less likely 25% 27% 46% 37% 32% 30% 38% 36% 24% Much more likely Somewhat more likely About the same 31

32 Public Opinion Knowing about scientific research on the health benefits of pets 92% of pet owners are more likely to maintain a pet s health, including keeping up with vaccines and preventive medicine 89% of pet owners are more likely to maintain a pet s health, including regular check-ups with a veterinarian 62% of pet owners are less likely to skip visits to the veterinarian 51% of pet owners are more likely to purchase pet health insurance 32

33 Public Opinion Knowing about scientific research on the health benefits of pets 87% of pet owners are more likely to recommend a pet to a friend or family member 81% of pet owners are more likely to get another pet in the future if the one I have now passes away 49% of pet owners are more likely to get an additional pet (Millennials 74%) 57% of pet owners with multiple pets are more likely to get yet another pet 33

34 Public Opinion Knowing about scientific research on the health benefits of pets 89% of pet owners are more likely to take better care of a pet 88% of pet owners are more likely to provide a pet with higher quality nutrition 75% of pet owners are more likely to microchip a pet to ensure it can be found if lost or stolen 74% of pet owners are less likely to give up a pet for any reason 34

35 Public Opinion Pet owners believe society should be more pet friendly: 93% of pet owners agree the government should provide service animals to veterans with PTSD 69% of pet owners (83% of millennials) agree the government should help make it more affordable to own a pet 84% agree health and life insurance companies should give discounts for owning a pet 87% would be more likely to buy products from petfriendly businesses 58% of pet owners (74% of millennials) agree employers should consider allowing employees to bring pets to work 35

36 Public Opinion Pets are family: 98% of pet owners agree that their pet is an important part of their family 95% of pet owners could not imagine giving up their pet for any reason 36

37 Public Opinion Awareness Awareness Awareness Better Healthcare Responsible Ownership Improved Welfare 37

38 Public Policy Change the World! 38

39 Public Affairs Impact public policy by demonstrating and championing the value of pets and animals in society. Use scientific research to support public policy Support legislation that recognizes the humananimal bond Join with like-minded partners to advance policy goals 39

40 How does research impact policy? Shows: Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) positively impact hospital patients Action: Support high-quality animal therapy programs in medical treatment and rehabilitation facilities Support cognitive development and learning Alleviate stress and teach empathy, especially in children and teens Support healthy aging Promote the presence of classroom pets, Support companion animals in library reading programs AAI in treatment programs for at-risk youth Help older people keep their pets, Support AAI in resident facilities 40

41 Case Study: Helping Seniors Boomer's Buddies Adopters who are 50 years of age or older may adopt an animal who is 5 years of age or older for a waived fee. Addressing social isolation in older Americans Supporting the re-homing of older dogs and cats 41

42 Case Study: Veterans Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD The Americans with Disabilities Act recognizes service dogs for PTSD AAI addresses many of the symptoms of PTSD (anxiety, depression, stress) The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide service dogs for veterans with PTSD is key to support for expansion of these programs 42

43 Legislation Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide service dogs to veterans with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) Would expand federal law to include protections for pets of domestic violence victims and establish a federal grant program that will help ensure that victims have access to safe shelters for their pets 43

44 Legislation NIH Appropriations Supported $34.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $1.441 billion for NICHD Support $165 million in funding for the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program (which tracks pet ownership as an environmental factor) Hot Cars Act (H.R. 2801) Would require vehicles to alert the operator to check rear seating positions after the vehicle motor is deactivated by the operator (this will save the lives of children and pets) 44

45 Pet Night on Capitol Hill Elected officials, pet care community, veterinary medicine, animal welfare and academia Celebrate the importance of the human-animal bond to our wellbeing More than 450 attendees, including a dozen Members of Congress 45

46 Future Policy Initiatives Pet-Friendly Society Housing Policy Pets at Work Support for Seniors Affordability 46

47 Public Education

48 Public Education ThePetEffect.org 48

49 Public Education New Pet Effect content Increased outreach in

50 Veterinary Education Human-Animal Bond Veterinary Certification NAVC Learning Academy High-Quality, Scientific Content CE Credit Launching at VMX (Feb. 2018) Course Modules The Science of the Human-Animal Bond Communicating the Human-Animal Bond The Human-Animal Bond in Medical Practice Animal and Practice Welfare Community Engagement 50

51 Future How do we infuse the science of the humananimal bond into the programming of shelters and rescues for mission success? Develop and understanding of the research Infuse human-animal bond messages into communications and materials Look for human health partners Study and share best practices 51

52 Public Education

53 Connect Steven Feldman Executive Director Human Animal Bond Institute (HABRI) 1615 M Street, NW, 2 nd Floor Washington, DC sfeldman@habri.org