Canine companionship and the loneliness epidemic

Research has shown us that loneliness is far more than feeling alone. It is a serious health threat, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and potentially more dangerous than obesity. In fact, loneliness has been associated with a 26% increase in the risk of mortality. Loneliness is also linked to an increased risk of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. And with our population living longer, through retirement, the potential loss of loved ones, and decreased mobility, loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. Loneliness is just one of the reasons that Waltham Petcare Science Institute, continue to advance scientific understanding of the benefits of pets to human health. Now, a new Waltham-funded study, led by Nancy Gee and published in Innovation of Aging, adds to the growing wealth of evidence that suggests therapy dogs can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, and enhance the overall quality of life for older adults. Specifically, the new study looks at people aged 59 and over who were hospitalised for five or more days. It is one of few studies to rigorously test the impact of therapy dog interactions in a hospital setting. Using a randomised control design with longitudinal follow-up – at one month and six months – the researchers demonstrated robust evidence of the benefits of canine companionship in older age. Their findings included: Therapy dogs significantly reduced the feeling of loneliness in hospitalised older adults. Visits from humans alone did not significantly reduce the feeling of loneliness, highlighting the unique and beneficial impact of canine contact and companionship. What do these findings mean for pets, people and healthcare? Gee et al’s findings add to our broader body of research in the field of human-animal interaction (HAI). This research demonstrates the potential of therapy animals for enhancing human health and wellbeing. And we hope the findings can be used to support the use animal-assisted therapy for older people in healthcare settings.