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Healthy, Active Aging for People and Dogs
Sandra McCune1,2, Daniel Promislow3,4
1School of Psychology, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|June 24, 2021
Summary
Companion dogs offer emotional and physical support, influencing healthy aging in older adults. This research explores the human-dog bond
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Comparative Medicine
- Human-Animal Interactions
Background:
- Companion dogs provide significant emotional and physical support to humans.
- Aging research increasingly focuses on healthspan (healthy active lifespan) alongside lifespan.
- Older adults and their companion dogs can serve as models for studying healthy and unhealthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore current research on aging in humans and companion dogs.
- To investigate the impact of the human-dog relationship on the healthspan of both older adults and their dogs.
- To identify challenges and potential solutions for maintaining the human-dog bond as both age.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aging research in humans and dogs.
- Analysis of the human-dog relationship's role in promoting active, healthy aging.
- Discussion of challenges and proposed solutions for continued human-dog interaction.
Main Results:
- The human-dog relationship presents unique challenges and benefits for healthy aging in both species.
- Older adults and dogs can mutually influence each other's healthspan.
- Strategies are needed to support continued human-dog contact, even when ownership is not possible.
Conclusions:
- The human-dog bond is a significant factor in promoting healthy, active aging for older adults.
- Further research is essential to build a stronger evidence base for the role of dogs in older adults' lives.
- Interventions supporting the human-dog relationship can enhance healthspan and well-being for both parties.
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