Scientists Reinforce Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction, Particularly for Older Adults. Creative solutions can enable older adults to spend more time with pets enjoying the emotional and physical benefits that this bonding experience can bring. Researchers at the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition, University of Montana and The Ohio State University have released new recommendations that highlight potential solutions to overcome both perceived and real barriers to pet ownership. Existing schemes to help older adults include financial help with adoption fees, home delivery of pet food (such as Meals on Wheels for pets) and programs to help look after or rehome pets if adults become unable to care for them. New solutions could include ‘pet-adoption prescriptions’ for older adults affected with grief or isolation, trial adoptions from shelters and guidance on pet species and breed to match the individual’s needs. “Many older adults would love to spend time with a pet and would benefit greatly from the positive effects the companionship brings, yet they worry about how they can afford or care for a pet,” said Sandra McCune, PhD, Scientific Leader, Human Animal Interaction at WALTHAM®. “In many cases, these barriers are easy to overcome. This new report shines a light on the services that exist, and inspires communities, institutions and policymakers to find new and innovative solutions. We envision a future in which fostering human-animal bonds is no longer seen as alternative care, but a standard of care.” Find out more about the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition in the following link: www.waltham.com Full details of the publication can be found by following this link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01924788.2015.994447#.VQmEotLF-6I

1. Creative solutions are needed to help older adults spend more time
with pets, enjoying the emotional and physical benefits that this
bonding experience can bring.

2. WALTHAM® and other academic institutions have released new
recommendations that highlight potential solutions to overcome both
perceived and real barriers to pet ownership. To find out more about
the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition visit www.waltham.com.

3. These recommendations are published in the March 2015 edition of
Activities, Adaptation and Aging. They highlight existing schemes
available to support older adults with accessing the benefits of pets
and propose new solutions such as trial adoptions and pet-adoption
prescriptions. To find out more visit:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01924788.2015.994447
#.VQmEotLF-6I