Physiologically speaking, pets are said to have a positive impact on the health of individuals. Vormbrock and Grossberg (1998) found that the act of petting a dog actually lowers blood pressure (as cited in Brasic, 1998). This could be a result of the mind escaping from stress while focusing on the dog. There have been some studies done explaining touch therapy; these benefits of touching the dog could be explained through those studies. Another study, done by Katcher (1982), found pets to be highly beneficial in the reduction of blood pressure, as well as the increased success in the survival of coronary artery illness (as cited in Sable, 1995). Owning an animal, especially a dog, causes the owner to be more active, thus increasing their overall physical health. Siegel (1990) found that pet owners have fewer total doctor visits over a one-year period than do those who do not own pets. He concluded that pets seemed to help their owners cope with stressful life events.

Pets are said to have a definite impact on the mental and emotional well being of their owners. Kidd and Feldmann (1981) concluded that pet-owners are more responsible, more dependable, and less dependent on others than are non-owners. Owning a pet requires a person to be more responsible because the pet depends on the owner to feed, water, walk, and give overall care for the pet. The practice of being responsible is then reflected in the owners’ everyday lives; therefore, proving to others they are dependable. They also found pet-owners to be more optimistic, more poised, and more productive than non-owners. If a person has someone depending on him or her, whether it is another person or a pet, the person is going to have a higher level of self-worth, thus, a better view of the world. It has been said that pets actually help reduce feelings of loneliness and give their owners a higher self-perception (Goldmeier, 1986). Other research has indicated a positive correlation between the reduction of loneliness and pet ownership in homeless youth (Rew, 2000). Homeless individuals have said that owning a dog actually provides them with warmth, friendship, and love that they would not otherwise experience given their situations. Pets have also been shown to benefit people, even outside the realm of ownership. Corson, Corson, and Gwyne (1975) found pet-facilitated psychotherapy to be useful in treating patients under the age of 65, suggesting that pets can be therapeutic when used alongside another type of treatment (as cited in Robb & Steggman, 1983).

Perhaps the idea that pets serve in reducing loneliness and increasing the perception of the self can be best explained in a study done by Jesson, Cordiello, and Baun (1996) involving the random assignment of a caged bird to half of the participants involved. The individuals were not allowed to care for the bird themselves for varying reasons. The results of the study showed that there was a decrease in depression, but there was no reflection on scores indicating improvement for morale or loneliness. Given the results of previous research, it could be said that the act of caring for the pet is essential in the reduction of loneliness and heightened sense of self-worth (Goldmeier, 1986).

Research previously conducted has supported the idea that the ownership of a pet can be beneficial to an individual’s overall health. The purpose of this study is to show there is a correlation between pet ownership and physical and emotional health. This study measured the physical and emotional health with the aide of a questionnaire administered by the researchers. The questions were used to help determine whether or not the participant owned a pet, and measure their quality of life and overall health. It was hypothesized, and supported by the research, that pet ownership is a positive aid in benefiting the overall health of individuals.

PARTICIPANTS
Twenty-six participants, consisting of both pet-owners and non-owners, were selected from the St. Joseph, MO area and asked to complete a survey assessing overall physical and emotional health. The male and female participants’ ages ranged from 25 to 50 years.

MATERIALS
A paper-and-pencil questionnaire, consisting of 14 items, was used to collect the data. The data were used to determine the scores for the participants. These scores were then used to conclude whether pet-ownership does, in fact, benefit general health (See Appendix).

PROCEDURE
The participants were selected by the researchers and then asked to fill out the survey. The surveys were then collected, and the data analyzed to compare the physical and emotional health of pet-owners with that of non-owners.

There were a few limitations in this study that could account for the results being inconsistent with the literature. An attempt was made to secure as sufficient and exhaustive sample as possible; however, this was hindered due to extenuating circumstances surrounding the data collection. The individuals who participated in the study were all inhabitants of a semi-rural, middle class town. This provides a problem in that these results would not necessarily generalize to other populations. It is suggested for future studies that researchers narrow their participants to a selected age range, such as the elderly. Future researchers may want to collect data from participants in a variety of locations, in order to increase the generality of the results.

Goldmeier, J. (1986). Pets or people: Another research note. Gerontologist, 26, 203-206.

Jesson, J., Cardiello, F., & Baun, M. M. (1996). Avian companionship in alleviation of depression, loneliness, and low morale of older adults in skilled rehabilitation units. Psychological Reports, 78, 339-348.

Kehoe, M. (1990). Loneliness and the aging homosexual: Is pet therapy an answer? Journal of Homosexuality, 20, 137-142.

Kidd, A. H., & Feldmann, B. M. (1981). Pet ownership and self-perceptions of older people. Psychological Reports, 48, 867-875.

Rew, L. (2000). Friends and pets as companions: Strategies for coping with loneliness among homeless youth. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 13,125-128.

Robb, S. S., & Stegman, C. E. (1983). Companion animals and elderly people: A challenge for evaluators of social support. Gerontologist, 23, 277-282

Sable, P. (1995). Pets, attachment, and well-being across the life cycle. Social Work, 40, 334-341.

Siegel, J. M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 58, 1081-1086.

Q1. In general would you say your health is…

1. excellent

2. very good

3. good

4. fair

5. poor

Q2. Compared to one year ago, how would you rate your health in general now? Would you say it is…

1. much better now than one year ago

2. somewhat better now than one year ago

3. about the same as one year ago

4. somewhat worse now than one year ago

5. much worse now that one year ago

Q3. First vigorous activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating in strenuous sports. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited a t all

Q4. …moderate activities , such as moving table, pushing a vacuum cleaner, bowling, or playing golf. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q5. …lifting or carrying groceries. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of you health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q6. …climbing several flights of stairs. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q7. …climbing one flight of stairs. Does you health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q8. …bending, kneeling, or stooping. Does you health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q9. …walking more than a mile. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q10. …walking several blocks. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q11. …walking one block. Does your health now limit you a lot, limit you a little, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

1. Yes, limited a lot

2. Yes, limited a little

3. No, not limited at all

Q12. …bathing or dressing yourself. Does your health now limit you a little, limit you a lot, or not limit you at all?

Is that because of your health?

4. Yes, limited a lot

5. Yes, limited a little

6. No, not limited at all

The following four questions ask about your physical health and daily activities.

Q13. During the past 4 weeks, have you had to cut down the amount of time you spent on work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health?

1. Yes

2. No

Q14. During the past 4 weeks, have you accomplished less than you would like as a result of your physical health?

1. Yes

2. No

Q15. During the past 4 weeks, were you limited in the kind of work or other regular activities you do as a result of your physical health?

1. Yes

2. No

Q16. During the past 4 weeks, have you had difficulty performing work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health, for example, it took extra effort?

1. Yes

2. No

The following three questions ask about your emotions and your daily activities:

Q17. During the past 4 weeks, have you cut down the amount of time you spent on work or regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious?

1. Yes

2. No

Q18. During the past 4 weeks, have you accomplished less than you would like as a result of any emotional problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious?

1. Yes

2. No

Q19. During the past 4 weeks, did you not do work or other regular daily activities as carefully as usual as a result of any emotional problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious?

1. Yes

2. No

Q20. During the past 4 weeks, to what extent has you physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with family, neighbors, or groups?

1. not at all

2. slightly

3. moderately

4. quite a bit

5. or extremely

Q21. During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work, including both work outside the home and housework? Did it interfere…

1. not at all

2. a little bit

3. moderately

4. quite a bit

5. or extremely

Q22. How much bodily pain have you had during the past 4 weeks? Have you had…

1. none

2. very mild

3. mild

4. moderate

5. severe

6. or very severe

Q23. During the past 4 weeks, how much of the time has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your social activities like visiting with friends or relatives? Has it interfered…

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. some of the time

4. a little of the time

5. or none of the time

The next questions are about how you feel and how things have been with you during the past 4 weeks.

Q24. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…did you feel full of pep? (Read categories)

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q25. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…have you been a very nervous person? (Read categories)

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q26. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…have you felt so down in the dumps that nothing could cheer you up?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q27. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…have you felt calm and peaceful?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q28. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…did you have a lot of energy?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q29. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…have you felt downhearted and blue?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q30. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…did you feel worn out?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q31. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…have you been a happy person?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

Q32. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks…did you feel tired?

1. all of the time

2. most of the time

3. a good bit of the time

4. some of the time

5. a little of the time

6. none of the time

These next questions are about your health and health-related matters.

Q33. I seem to get sick a little easier that other people. Would you say that is…

1. definitely true

2. mostly true

3. don’t know

4. mostly false

5. definitely false

Q34. I am as healthy as anybody I know. Would you say that’s…

1. definitely true

2. mostly true

3. don’t know

4. mostly false

5. definitely false

Q35. I expect my health to get worse. Would you say that’s…

1. definitely true

2. mostly true

3. don’t know

4. mostly false

5. definitely false

Q36. My health is excellent. Would you say that’s…

1. definitely true

2. mostly true

3. don’t know

4. mostly false

5. definitely false

The last few questions will refer to pet ownership.

Q37. Do you own a pet?

1. Yes

2. No

***If YES:

How long have you owned a pet?

1. As long as I can remember

2. For a very long time

3. Not very long at all

***If YES:

What type of pet do you own?

1. Dog

2. Cat

3. Bird

4. Fish

5. Gerbil

6. Other

***If NO:

Would you be interested in owning a pet now?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Maybe

***If NO:

Can we help you adopt a pet?

1. Yes

2. No

***If NO:

Have you ever owned a pet?

1. Yes

2. No

Optional:

Age___________

Gender___________

Occupation___________

Author Contact Information:Dr. Cronk

Manuscript Submitted 11/26/2001 1:06:05 PM
Manuscript Last Edited 11/26/2001 9:22:27 PM
Copyright 2009 Missouri Western State University. Please see complete copyright information. Missouri Western is not responsible for the content posted on this web site. Any potential copyright violations, etc. should be reported to the Director so that the material can be removed.