Animal Therapy on the Community Level: The Impact of Pets on Social Capital

Arkow, Phil

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-801292-5.00005-5

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…Companion animals are often present with their person as they experience some of their hardest days. Companion animals can also facilitate connections with others, helping improve a person's integration into a community and social network [25,26]. This support is even more valuable to those who are socially isolated [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergency Animal Boarding: A Social Return on Investment

Ma,

Ravulo,

McGeown

2023

Animals

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Companion animals play a central role in many families and are especially valued by those who are socially isolated. Crisis situations such as acute hospitalizations, homelessness, and natural disasters can make it difficult to preserve the human–animal bond and can result in animals being surrendered or euthanized. Social support programs like the RSPCA NSW Emergency Boarding and Homelessness program support people experiencing crisis situations with emergency pet boarding, access to veterinary treatment and individualized case management. This study aimed to estimate the social return on investment (SROI) for this program using the standard SROI methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 program stakeholders and questionnaire responses were received from 29 program clients. Outcomes were quantified for four stakeholder groups: program clients, client’s animals, RSPCA Inspectors, animal pounds, and shelters. Clients and their animals experienced the bulk of the benefit from the program, estimated to have a combined value of over AUD 5 million for the 2020–2021 financial year. The estimated social return on investment was AUD 8.21 for each AUD 1 invested. The study demonstrates that keeping people together with their companion animals or ensuring they are reunited as soon as possible can reduce stressors and improve outcomes for people and animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergency Animal Boarding: A Social Return on Investment

Ma,

Ravulo,

McGeown

2023

Animals

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“…This analysis used existing peer-reviewed studies that provided enough data for the calculation of the effect size of the interventions. Experts in the field of human-animal bond indicate that the beneficial contribution of animals' presence and positive HAI on social capital enhances individual mental and physical health, as well as the interpersonal relationship and cooperation in families, groups (including therapy groups), and communities [e.g., ( 4 , 7 )].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The proposed transversal learning objectives informed by a group therapeutic intervention is important because all of the current explanatory theories and models behind the benefits of HAIs on aspects of human life are based on the social nature of interactions, i.e., meaningful social encounters with others (humans and animals). Examples of theories that are commonly found in the SW practice literature supporting the inclusion of HAI ( 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 ) are: ecological-systems theory ( 9 ), family theory and family-centered practice ( 10 ), social support theory ( 11 ), and the strengths perspective ( 5 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interdisciplinary approach of Yalom's group therapy factors: A theoretical model for including animal presence in social work education and practice

Rusu

Davis²

2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

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An increasing number of studies in the field of Social Work (SW) address the incorporation of animal presence in practice and improved understanding of social support and therapeutic components. Education programs on the ethical and practical principles of animal-assisted interventions, including models and theories supporting the psycho-physiological effects of human-animal interactions (HAI), are being implemented around the world, especially in the US. While designing and implementing a new interdisciplinary curriculum can be time-consuming and, depending on the many variables, integrating elements of HAI components in existing curricula can be a more efficient approach. We present a step-by-step approach for inclusion of HAI knowledge and practice in teaching Yalom's principles and therapeutic factors of group therapy to SW students. Based on a qualitative analysis of the existent literature and on the results of several research projects in the field of HAI, we propose an approach for infusing research-informed examples and theories supporting the beneficial effects of HAI in the direction of the interdisciplinary understanding of the Yalom's primary factors in the therapeutic process, such as: instillation of hope, corrective recapitulation of the primary family group, development of socializing techniques, imitative behavior, interpersonal learning, and group cohesion. Applied values of HAI are discussed for each factor, emphasizing the added value of animal presence in group therapy settings from the perspective of the dynamic of interspecific social networks, i.e., animal-handler-group members.

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The Biopsychosocial Model as a Framework for Understanding the Human–Animal Bond

Compitus¹

2021

Essential Clinical Social Work Series

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Animal Therapy on the Community Level: The Impact of Pets on Social Capital

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Emergency Animal Boarding: A Social Return on Investment

Emergency Animal Boarding: A Social Return on Investment

Interdisciplinary approach of Yalom's group therapy factors: A theoretical model for including animal presence in social work education and practice

The Biopsychosocial Model as a Framework for Understanding the Human–Animal Bond

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