by Andrea Leigh Ptak

At the meeting of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ), held during the Delta Society 1994 annual conference in New York City, a number of papers were presented that focused on companion animals and loneliness. The reason for so much interest in this subject can best be stated with a quote from the report published by R. Lee Zasloff and Aline H. Kidd of the Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis:

"Loneliness has been defined as 'the unpleasant experience that occurs when a person's network of social relation is deficient in some important way, either quantitatively or qualitatively' (Peplau & Penman, 1982, p. 4). It also has been described as 'an inability or disruption in the ability to relate to others in an effective and mutually satisfying manner.' (Jones, 1982, p. 238) Weiss (1981) has described loneliness as a severely distressing condition resulting from emotional or social isolation. Loneliness is often associated with negative affective states such as depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and self-destructive behavior, alcoholism, and, in the extreme, suicide (Rokach, 1990). For these reasons, practical solutions to the problem of loneliness are important."

Loneliness and Pet Ownership Among Single Women

Zasloff and Kidd were particularly interested in the benefits of pet ownership on single adults who were not elderly. Though a number of studies have documented the benefits of pet ownership on seniors, other adult populations had virtually been ignored. After distributing 252 survey packets to students at Temple University, and receiving 211 completed responses, the authors then culled these down for reasons of eligibility to create a final sample of 148 women. These women were all at least 21, single (not living with a mate or significant other) and not living with any children under the age of 18. Of these, 59 owned pets and 89 did not, though some of the participants in both groups had roommates.

Participants were tested for both loneliness and degree of attachment to their pets. A two-way analysis of variance of pet ownership and living arrangement demonstrated that women living alone without a pet were significantly lonelier than were members of the other groups. This finding was consistent with earlier research by Goldmeier (1986) who indicated that pets helped significantly to diminish lonely dissatisfaction among older women.

There was, however, no significant difference in loneliness scores between highly attached and less attached pet owners. There was also no significant difference in mean loneliness between dog and cat owners, leading the authors to conclude that both species provide beneficial effects for people living alone. The authors did stress that since their findings were correlational, no definite conclusions can be drawn from them.

Benefits and Liabilities of Pets for the Homeless

Observations in the streets and parks of San Francisco East Bay cities and suburbs suggested that many of the homeless people own and maintain companion animals in spite of circumstances and environmental conditions. Robert M. Kidd and Aline H. Kidd interviewed 105 homeless adult men and women, half of whom owned pets.

Responses indicated that homeless pet owners were extremely attached to their pets and had owned significantly more pets during childhood and adolescence than non-owners. Aline Kidd noted that aside from those in the K-9 Corps, where dogs often saved their handler's lives more than once, these were the most attached pet owners she had ever encountered. There were, however, no significant differences in attachment to pets between parents and non-parents or between married and single persons. During their questioning, the Kidds often heard the same things over and over: "He's the only thing that loves me." "I always feed her first." One woman made this simple observation: "She doesn't mind that I'm dirty or smell - she loves me anyway."

Providing food and veterinary care was a very significant problem for the majority of the homeless pet owners, though many found creative ways to remedy this. In exchange for free services, two young men spent their nights sleeping on the front and back porches of a veterinary clinic that had been having problems with break-ins. In spite of these hardships, it was clear that many homeless adults had pets as a benefit to their mental and physical well-being.

Note:

The Doney Clinic in Seattle, WA, is a good example of how veterinarians can help the homeless. Founded by Bud Doney, DVM in 1989 and taken over after his death by Stan Coe, DVM of the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital, the clinic works through the local Union Gospel Mission to provide veterinary services twice a month. Dr. Coe says they give vaccinations and treat a variety of illnesses, including flea allergies, skin problems and digestive disorders - a result of the often questionable diets of many of the animals. More serious aliments and injuries that may require surgery or hospitalization are handled through Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.

Though most of their clients are dogs, surprisingly they see cats about one fourth of the visits. "One young man manages to live on the streets with two cats riding on his backpack," noted Dr. Coe.

Dr. Coe and his staff volunteer their time, and supplies are often donated by animal pharmaceutical companies and individuals. Thanks to some well-placed local and national publicity, cash donations have also been received. Veterinarians interested in starting a similar service in their area may contact Dr. Coe at (206) 285-7387.

Pet Programs Can Provide a Novel Source of Interaction in Long-Term Care Facilities

Utilization of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) for institutionalized people who are elderly and/or disabled has increased dramatically in recent years, yet there is a dearth of research evaluating the effectiveness of AAT at achieving specific goals. To remedy this, P. Bernstein, E. Friedmann and A. Malaspina of Kent State University-Stark, Canton, OH, and Brooklyn College of CUNY, Brooklyn, NY, evaluated the effect of AAT on interactive behavior of patients in two long-term care facilities.

Talking and touching behaviors of patients interacting with other people in non-pet activities (NPA), including physical therapy (PT), or with people and pets in AAT were observed at the two institutions over a ten-week period. Preliminary analysis revealed that mentally alert patients participating in arts and crafts at Site One had the highest interaction rates with other people, apparently greater than rates for alert individuals participating in snack bingo at Site Two or in AAT at either site. However, when interactions with the pets are included in overall rates, AAT apparently provides overall rates of interaction similar to the arts and crafts and one time greater than the snack bingo.

Additionally, pets, through touch, can provide patients with a novel source of immediate physical contact with the world around them. For alert patients, rates of touching between people are uniformly low for both NPA and PT activities. However, when pets are included, overall rates of touching in AAT becomes three to four times greater than rates for NPA. For semi-alert and non-alert patients who often have difficulty relating to the world around them, the addition of touching between person and pet provides rates of touch and real-world physical contact four times greater than either NPA. AAT can be an important physical contact with the outside world for residents whose limitations prevent them from participating well or at all in other programs.

References

• Kidd, A.H. & Kidd, R.M. (1994). "Benefits and liabilities of pets for the homeless." Psychological Reports, 74, 715-722.
• Jones, W.H. (1982) "Loneliness and social behavior." In L.A. Peplau & D. Perhnari (Eds.) Loneliness: a sourcebook of current research and therapy. New York: Wiley, pp. 238-252.
• Peplau, LA & Penman, B. (1982) "Perspectives on loneliness." In LA Peplau & D. Perlman (Eds.) Loneliness: a sourcebook of current research and therapy. New York: Wiley, pp. 1-18.
• Rokach, A. (1990) "Surviving and coping with loneliness." The Journal of Psychology, 125, 39-54.
• Weiss, R.S. (1981) "The study of loneliness." In P. J. Stein (Ed.), Single life: unmarried adults in social context. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 152- 164.
• Zasloff, R.L., & Kidd, Aline H. (1994). "Loneliness and pet ownership among single women." Psychological Reports, 75, 747-752.

Originally published in Interactions, Vol. 13 #1, 1995, p. 7.