The Benefits of HumanAnimal Interaction: Research

1
The Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction
Research Practice

• Rebecca A. Johnson, Ph.D., RN
• Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing
• MU Sinclair School of Nursing
• Associate Director for Research
• Center for the Study of Animal Wellness
• MU College of Veterinary Medicine
• University of Missouri-Columbia
• Columbia, MO

2
What research shows us thus far

• Animals are social lubricants (Eddy, Hart
  Boltz, 1988)

3

• They provide social support and companionship,
  (Smith et al, 1992)

4

• are often viewed as members of the family,
  (Cohen, 2002)

5

• and can inspire us to have fun!
• (Berryman, et al, 1985)

6
Physical benefits of HAI for pet owners

• Older pet owners exercised more (Garrity et al,
  1989), had fewer MD visits (Siegel, 1990)
• walked longer and had lower triglyceride levels
  than non-dog owners (Dembicki Anderson, 1996),
  and . . .

7

• had increased one year survival post MI,
  (Friedmann et al, 1995)
• lower blood pressure, triglyceride cholesterol
  levels, (Anderson et al 1992)

8
"If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough
exercise." Unknown
9
Psychosocial benefits of HAI

• Pet ownership has been associated with less
  depression... (Garrity, Stallones, Marx,
  Johnson, 1989)

10

• and been found to improve older adults morale.
• (Lago et. al, 1989)

11
Human-Animal Interaction
12
Pet A Pet Study

• What are the neurohormonal changes in humans
  blood after a brief quiet human-dog or
  human-robotic dog interaction?
• Collaborator Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP
• Clinical Associate Professor
• MU College of Veterinary Medicine
• Columbia, MO

13
Partial Replication

• Johannes Odendaal, D.V.Sc., Ph.D., Technikon
  Pretoria, South Africa
• Studied 18 humans 18 dogs

14
Neurochemical Changes after Quiet Interaction
15
Acknowledgement

• Skeeter Foundation

16
Sample Procedure

• 50 dog owners
• 50 non dog owners
• Dog owners visit with own dog, unfamiliar dog and
  robotic dog
• Non dog owners visit with unfamiliar dog and
  robotic dog

17

• Demographic and health information is collected
  from human subjects blood taken
• Dog owners complete a companion animal bonding
  scale
• Mood is assessed in humans
• Blood is taken behavior is assessed in dogs

18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
Demographic Findings
23
TRENDS Humans with Own Dog, Unfamiliar Dog,
Robot
24
Conclusions

• Odendaals findings not replicated
• Cortisol decreased in all conditions
• No significant changes in oxytocin, prolactin, or
  serotonin for humans or dogs
• Serotonin slight in dogs with stranger)

25

• Expectancy in humans dogs
• Enthusiasm to complete study!!

26
Aging in Place A New Concept in Long-Term
Care
27
Land-Grant Mission

• Education
• Research
• Practice/Service

28
Aging in Place Project Part 1
Senior Care
29
Typical Trajectory

• Own Home a Senior Housing with services a
  Assisted Living a Nursing Home a Hospital
• Research shows as seniors move from place to
  place
• Depression occurs
• Short-term memory decreases
• Reporting of pain increases

30
Senior Care

• Goals Outcomes
• Postpone or prevent nursing home admission
• Older adults who participate in the Aging in
  Place program
• walk better
• less depressed
• better short-term memory
• less pain

31
Senior Care Services

• Care Coordination
• Personal Care Services
• Medication Management

32
TigerPlaceAging in Place Project Part 2
33
TigerPlace
34
(No Transcript)
35
Common Areas

• Private Dining
• Meeting Room
• Bengal Lair
• Spa
• Beauty/Barber Shop

36
Library
37
Lounge
38
Living Spaces

• Efficiency, one and two bedroom apartments
• Rented on a monthly basis

39
(No Transcript)
40
(No Transcript)
41
Pet-friendly porches walk trails
42
Our Vision

• A facility where seniors grow old with dignity
  without having to move as their care needs
  increase
• A place where they can maintain their independent
  lifestyle
• A home where residents can bring their pets to
  live with them
• A national model of excellence, drastically
  changing long-term care

43
(No Transcript)
44
Americare Systems, Inc.

• Fall 1999, the school entered into partnership
  with Americare
• Americare
• 22-year history in assisted living and skilled
  nursing facility
• Named one of the top 50 providers in the U S
• TigerPlace landlord

45
General Services

• Concierge service
• Transportation
• PC internet access
• Restaurant-style dining
• Weekly housekeeping
• Utilities, excluding telephone and cable TV
• Maintenance-free living

46
TigerCare Services

• TigerCare Center via Senior Care
• Annual assessment performed by RN
• Four in-home RN visits per year
• RN on call 7 days a week
• TigerCare
• Services delivered to older adults where they live

47
TigerTotal Fitness

• TigerTotal Fitness Center
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Daily group exercise classes
• Customized programs
• Outdoor TigerTrails

48
Collaborating MU Schools Colleges

• College of Veterinary Medicine
• College of Engineering
• School of Business
• College of Human Environmental Sciences
• School of Medicine
• School of Health Professions
• College of Education
• College of Arts and Science

49
Programs

• University-related events
• Sports events
• Concerts
• Art exhibits
• Lectures and discussions
• Cultural exchange
• TigerPlace Pet Initiative (TiPPI)

50
TiPPI

• Collaborator
• Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP
• Director of Community Medicine Director,
• Center for the Study of Animal Wellness
• MU College of Veterinary Medicine
• University of Missouri-Columbia
• Columbia, MO

51
Main Goals

• A pet-friendly TigerPlace
• Screened porches
• Wide windowsills
• Outside doors
• Tile floors in entry
• Walk trails
• Fenced areas

52
Practice In-House Pet Medical Care

• Provide pets of TigerPlace with stellar medical
  care

53

• Veterinary clinic just down the hall from home
• Intake assessment done on all pets
• Limit 4 pets
• Pets welcome in common areas
• Deposit 250

54
Education

• Excellent Vet student learning experiences-working
  with older clients older patients

55
Research Opportunities

• Opportunities for graduate students
• A great place to study the human-animal bond

56

• The TiPPI veterinary medical room at TigerPlace
  helps residents, pets, and Vet students!

57
Additional Facets of TiPPI

• Bereaved pet program
• In-house adoption first
• Outside adoption second

58

• Pet behavior screening and training
• Classes for Sr.s
• Pet selection
• Routine care
• Emergency care
• Pet training

59

• Feeding program
• TiPPI sells top quality pet food at reduced rate
  to TigerPlace residents

60

• And now for your questions..