SCIENTIFIC STUDIES INTO THE HUMAN/COMPANION ANIMAL BOND

As part of a wider role, FEDIAF members fully support research into the human companion animal bond. The most recent international conference on human-animal interactions took place in Prague in September 1998 and was the first of its kind to be held in Central/Eastern Europe.

Some of the scientific research in this area, presented to over 800 delegates at the Eighth International Conference on Human Animal Interactions, included:

June McNicholas from University of Warwick, Coventry, UK found that at three months after the bereavement of their partner, pet owners showed fewer physical symptoms, such as crying, than non-owners. Owners often confided in their pets to help release painful feelings at times when sharing these feelings with other people was felt to be socially uncomfortable. Ref June McNicholas, "Pets as providers of social support: Evidence from a longitudinal study of spousal bereavement"

In the case of elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related syndromes, the presence of pets, and particularly cats, could bring a potential benefit. This was underlined in a research "Cats in psychogeriatric nursing homes": a blessing for residents, caregivers and cats", Marie-José Enders-Slegers (University of Utrecht, Netherlands)

A nation-wide study led in France among retirement homes showed that the presence of an animal has a positive impact on residents. The most frequently mentioned qualities are affection (92 %), keeping guard (72 %), mobility (57 %). Ref : "Animals in Old Peoples' homes as a Symbol of Quality of Life" (Pascal Champvert, president ADEIIPA).

A study conducted by Dr Karen Allen from the University of New York in Buffalo, found that an assistance dog could save health authorities about US$352 per week for health services or US$13,027 per year, when annual costs of the dog are taken into account. Assistance dogs free the time of unpaid family members acting as carers, giving them the opportunity to seek employment, thus easing state? support costs. Ref Karen Allen: 'The healthy pleasure of their company.. Roles of animals in enhancing human health and quality of life"

In further research. Dr Allen found that men who own cats or dogs had lower resting heart and blood pressure than non-pet owning males.

This indicates that the benefits of pet ownership spread beyond the life shared with the animal, but bring improvements to all aspects of the owner's life. Ref. Karen Allen: The healthy pleasure of their company. Roles of animals in enhancing human health and quality of life."

In Croatia, a study aimed at comparing the social-emotional characteristics of pet-owner and non pet-owner school children and the type of pet they own. It concluded that pet-ownership had a positive impact and that the type of pet was an important variable. Ref "Pet-ownership, type of pet and social development of children" (Vesna Vlahovic Stetic, Department of Psychology, University of Zagreb).

A study of 37 elementary urban and rural schools in Australia found that the presence of cats not only improved children's knowledge of responsible pet ownership, but also increased class cohesiveness and the general atmosphere. The study, presented by Jonica Newby from the PetCare Information and Advisory Service, also discovered that the cats generated a calm, orderly environment, modified disruptive behaviour and reduced friction. Ref Jonica Newby: "Using cats in elementary school classrooms to modify the attitudes and behaviour of children".

Green Chimneys is a social service agency and psychiatric facility in the USA which, for the last 50 years, has helped to rehabilitate disturbed children back into the community, through a pioneering form of animal therapy. Run by Dr Sam Ross and his wife, Myra, the programmes utilise interaction with animals to help the children to find ways of coping with their problems and learn, sometimes for the first time, vital social skills and responsibility. Ref Sam and Myra Ross: "The evolving role of animals and the needs of youth: A review of 50 years of programming for the integration of humans and animals"

To enhance knowledge on the factors that rule the coexistence of man and animal in an urban environment together with the many aspects of Animal Assisted Activities (AAA), the city of Rome and the Veterinary Public Health Department have developed a "Health education programme in primary and secondary schools" (Anna Faini, Veterinary Service, Local Health Unit Rome "D").

Pets can increase the attention span of children with learning difficulties.