Companion Animals and Elderly People: A Challenge for Evaluators of Social Support

Abstract

This comparative retrospective study measured selected health-related effects of association with companion-animals on humans, associations that had previously been supported only by folklore. The sample consisted of 56 predominantly elderly veterans, randomly selected from two strata — clients who did and did not live with pets — that comprised the census of a home care program. No significant differences (p > .05) were observed. Results provide direction for further research.