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Social Capital and Pets in Retirement Villages
Janette Collier1, Virginia Lewis1, Pauleen Bennett2
1Australian Institute of Primary Care & Ageing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
Abstract:
Social capital generates collective benefits for a community, making it stronger and more resilient. This qualitative study explored how the inclusion of pets can shape social capital within Australian retirement villages. Semi-structured interviews with village managers and residents identified five themes: perceptions of the impact of pets on (1) owners; (2) other residents; (3) the community; and (4) contextual factors influencing the impact of pets in retirement villages. However, there was an unexpected fifth theme identified around the impact that living in a retirement village could have on pets. Findings indicate that pet-friendly villages can bolster individual well-being and collective social capital. Hence, flexible, adaptable, co-designed policies should include pets as part of the community, as well as incorporating the needs of people who are intolerant of pets for medical, cultural, or personal reasons.
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