Research has identified five key ways that can significantly improve the health of homeless pet owners and their animals.
Despite the fact that approximately 10% of homeless people own pets, detailed information on how to effectively support their health is lacking. These pets often serve as the only source of unconditional love and companionship for their owners.
important intervention
Research published in journals human-animal interactionoutlines important interventions to support healthier lives for homeless people and their pets.
These include providing access to free veterinary clinics, establishing collaborative human-animal clinics, working to reduce stigma, fostering interdisciplinary relationships, and ensuring pet-friendly accommodation options. Masu.
a promising path
The study's lead authors, Dr. Michelle Kurkowski and Dr. Andrew Springer, highlighted the diversity seen in research on this subject. They highlight the urgent need for further programmatic interventions needed to recommend best practices for interventions.
This study explores promising avenues for intervention and health improvement, with human-animal collaborative clinics and interdisciplinary partnerships among the most promising avenues for evaluating interventions and improving health outcomes. It suggests that it is a department.
pet health care
One notable finding from Ramirez et al's (2022) study of 44 homeless pet owners in Seattle, USA, was that they showed greater interest in pet health care than personal health care. and that a significant proportion of them expressed a willingness to participate in collaborative veterinarian-human clinics. Because of its convenience.
Dr. Kurkowski, formerly a researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center at the Houston School of Public Health, is currently a veterinarian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
lack of safe space
“Research shows that companion animals are a source of companionship and physical security, and homeless people who own pets have lower rates of depression and depression than those who don't own pets,” Dr. Kurkowski said. They report significantly lower rates of loneliness.”
However, this review also highlights less-discussed challenges faced by homeless pet owners, such as the difficult choice between accessing a shelter and keeping a pet with them.
“Similarly, our research shows that this group is more likely to have difficulty accessing public transportation or a safe place to leave their pets, making them less likely to receive necessary supports such as medical care or carrier services. It became clear that they were less likely to take advantage of it,” she added.
intervention is desperately needed
Dr. Kurkowski and Dr. Springer believe that although there is a growing literature on the benefits and needs of homeless pet owners, there is still a lack of interventions specifically designed to address their unique challenges. Masu.
“Our objective was to describe the research design, measurements, and results of relevant primary research studies and to identify gaps in knowledge in the body of literature on this topic,” Springer explained.
Ultimately, the researchers advocated for a comprehensive and effective care package for homeless people and their pets, involving collaboration between health care providers, social workers, animal welfare workers, and both government agencies and nonprofit organizations. and emphasizes the need to create innovative solutions for underserved and homeless populations. population.
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