The Relationship between Dog Ownership, Psychopathological Symptoms and Health-Benefitting Factors in Occupations at Risk for Traumatization

Lass‐Hennemann, Johanna; Michael, Tanja; Sopp, M. Roxanne; Michael, Tanja

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072562

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The advantages of raising a dog have been widely investigated. The human-dog bond has potential physical, psychological and mental benefits, and can improve the general well-being and happiness of owners (Lass-Hennemann et al, 2020;Tzivian et al, 2015;Barker and Barker, 1988;Wells, 2007). Despite all the known advantages, and the evidence that separation between a dog and its owner negatively impacts not only the dog but also the wellness of the owner (Lowe et al, 2015), millions of companion dogs are abandoned every year (Marder and Duxbury, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

Morgan

Protopopova

Birkler

et al. 2020

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

122

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The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to uncertainty and severe health and economic concerns. Previous studies indicated that owning a companion animal, such as a dog or a cat, has benefits for good mental health. Interactions with animals may help with depression and anxiety, particularly under stress-prone conditions. Human–animal interactions may even improve peer-to-peer social relationships, as well as enhance feelings of respect, trust, and empathy between people. Interestingly, it has also been shown that stress and poor well-being of dog owners negatively affect the well-being of their companion animals. However, a dramatic increase in dog abandonment could potentially occur due to COVID-19 related health, economic and social stresses, as well as due to the inconclusive reports of companion animals being potential COVID-19 carriers. Such a scenario may lead to high costs and considerable public health risks. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related social isolation, might lead to dramatic changes in human–dog bidirectional relationships. Using unique prospective and retrospective datasets, our objectives were to investigate how people perceived and acted during the COVID-19 pandemic social isolation, in regards to dog adoption and abandonment; and to examine the bidirectional relationship between the well-being of dog owners and that of their dogs. Overall, according to our analysis, as the social isolation became more stringent during the pandemic, the interest in dog adoption and the adoption rate increased significantly, while abandonment did not change. Moreover, there was a clear association between an individual’s impaired quality of life and their perceptions of a parallel deterioration in the quality of life of their dogs and reports of new behavioral problems. As humans and dogs are both social animals, these findings suggest potential benefits of the human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with the One Welfare approach that implies that there is a bidirectional connection between the welfare and health of humans and non-human animals. As our climate continues to change, more disasters including pandemics will likely occur, highlighting the importance of research into crisis-driven changes in human–animal relationships.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

Morgan

Protopopova

Birkler

et al. 2020

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Some authors doubt the generalized pet-effect on human mental and physical health because of conflicting results that are prevalent in this area of science and the lack of publication of negative results [13,[104][105][106]. The majority of research evidence was also considered inconclusive due to methodological limitations such as reliance on self-reports, small sample sizes that may not be representative of the general population, homogeneous populations, varying research designs, narrow range of outcome variables that were examined, and the use of cross-sectional designs that do not consider long-term health outcomes [107][108][109].…”

Section: Negative Aspects Of Companion Animals For Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects

Overgaauw

Vinke

Hagen

et al. 2020

IJERPH

172

137

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Over time the human–animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated. Objective: Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human–companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries. Method: Literature review. Results: Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet’s health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact. Conclusions: One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human–animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human–companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.

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“…Relinquishment (28)(29)(30)(31). Despite all the known advantages, and the evidence that separation of a dog and its owner has negative impacts not only on the dog but also the wellness of the owner (32), millions of companion dogs are abandoned every year (33).…”

Section: New Behavioral Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human-dog relationships during COVID-19 pandemic; booming dog adoption during social isolation

Morgan¹,

Protopopova²,

Birkler³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to uncertainty and severe health and economic concerns, which may have impacted human-dog relationships. Our objectives were to investigate how people perceived and acted during the COVID-19 pandemic social isolation, in regards to dog adoption and abandonment; and to examine the bidirectional relationships between dog owners’ well-being to that of their dogs. Overall, according to our analysis, the stricter the social isolation became during the pandemic, the interest in dog adoption as well as adoption rate increased significantly, while abandonment did not change. Moreover, there was a clear association between individuals’ impaired quality of life and their perceptions of poorer life quality of their dogs as well as the development of new behavioral problems. These findings suggest potential benefits for human-dog relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic, in compliance with the One Welfare approach.

show abstract

The Relationship between Dog Ownership, Psychopathological Symptoms and Health-Benefitting Factors in Occupations at Risk for Traumatization

Cited by 23 publications

References 60 publications

Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects

Human-dog relationships during COVID-19 pandemic; booming dog adoption during social isolation

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