Companion animals: social support for orthopedic clients

Area of Science:

• Human-animal interaction studies
• Social sciences
• Psychology

Background:

• Social support is crucial for well-being, with diverse definitions and measurements.
• Existing literature primarily focuses on human-to-human support systems.
• The human-animal bond literature shares functional similarities with social support concepts.

Observation:

• Companion animals were not traditionally included in social support frameworks.
• Reviews indicate functional overlaps between social support and human-animal bond literature.
• Two case studies explored the role of companion animals in supporting individuals with orthopedic disorders.

Findings:

• Companion animals provide a legitimate and relevant source of social support.
• The support offered by companion animals can be comparable to human support networks.
• This is particularly relevant for individuals managing orthopedic conditions.

Implications:

• Social support models should consider the inclusion of companion animals.
• The human-animal bond can be leveraged to enhance therapeutic interventions for orthopedic patients.
• Future research should further explore the mechanisms and extent of social support provided by companion animals.