About Seniors and Pets

Pets for Life is founded on the premise that a relationship with a companion animal can improve
the overall health and well-being of our senior and homebound neighbors. Learn more about Pets for Life >

Following are highlights from recent studies on the human-animal bond:

Companion animals provide unconditional warmth and affection, and can satisfy the need to touch, and be touched. Companion animals encourage social interaction, lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation, and boost morale and optimism. Seniors with dogs report fewer doctor visits. Dogs can be preventative and therapeutic against everyday stress. Companion animals can encourage playfulness, exercise, and promote laughter. For people aged 65-78, dogs are a major factor in conversations with passersby. In general, companion animals elicit friendly interactions. Companion animal owners often report lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Pet owners have fewer minor health problems, lower medical costs, better psychological well being, and higher one-year survival rates following coronary heart disease. Learn more about companion animals: A survey of findings on the elderly / companion pet relationship. - Pets for the Elderly Foundation "Your Dog is Your Mirror - The Emotional Capacity of our Dogs and Ourselves"  Vermont Public Radio - February 2011    Back to Top

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