The Impact of Pet Ownership on Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Ramirez, Vickie; Frisbie, Lauren; Robinson, Jovien; Rabinowitz, Peter

doi:10.1080/08927936.2022.2042082

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This study is the first to utilize Photovoice to understand the human-pet joint experience of homelessness. While we confirmed many findings from traditional research methodology regarding the benefits and challenges of experiencing homelessness with a pet [ 6 , 8 , 9 ], the images created by the study participants provided insight into important personal moments with their pets, movements throughout the city, and the formation of community. They also provide additional layers of data via visual descriptors of themes identified during interviews, offering greater detail and opportunity for examination both by participants and the research team.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Transcripts were not returned to study participants for comment or correction. Deductive and inductive coding strategies were used to identify study themes to be used in parallel with the other branch of the study assessing owner and pet health and barriers to health and housing which has been previously published [ 6 ]. As the interviews of both branches of the study addressed similar themes, the authors utilized the same codebook and codes for both sets of interviews S1 Appendix .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In partnership with a study focusing on health-seeking behavior of PEH with a pet in Seattle [ 6 ], we conducted a Photovoice project that aimed to 1) explore the experience of homelessness with a pet and the impact of the human-animal bond on the health of each, 2) elicit empathy for PEH with pets among members of the housed community via a series of public exhibits, and 3) to inform policy changes designed to support PEH with pets. This study was a collaboration between the University of Washington’s School of Public Health, School of Social Work, School of Law, and School of Nursing, and development of exhibit and other advocacy materials was informed by all groups for a multi-faceted approach to the design, reach, and impact of the project.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifting the Focus: A Photovoice exploration of the benefits and barriers of having a pet while experiencing homelessness

Garland-Lewis,

Scott,

Ramirez

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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While experiencing homelessness with a pet can present unique challenges, it can also provide physical health, mental health, and social benefits. A Photovoice project with adolescents and adults experiencing homelessness with a pet was conducted in Seattle, Washington, USA in 2018–2019 to explore the experience of homelessness with a pet, the impact of the human-animal bond on the health of each, and to drive policy changes to help support people experiencing homelessness (PEH) with pets. Twenty-five people spanning a range of age groups, genders, and living situations were recruited primarily through homeless-services providers, 19 of whom completed the study and created over 900 images. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to review printed photos. A key theme emerging from the interviews and photos was the importance and strength of the human-animal bond, providing mental and physical health benefits, and motivation for daily activities or making/maintaining positive changes. Challenges related to homelessness with a pet included barriers to access services, housing, and employment. Participants provided policy recommendations to improve support for PEH with pets. Multiple public exhibitions of images from all participants were held, reaching service providers, policy makers, and the general public. Visitor feedback included statements of positive change in attitudes towards PEH with pets among housed individuals. Collectively, the images, stories and themes deepen our understanding of homelessness with pets, leading to increased empathy and potential for policies that benefit the health of PEH and their pets.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifting the Focus: A Photovoice exploration of the benefits and barriers of having a pet while experiencing homelessness

Garland-Lewis,

Scott,

Ramirez

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

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“…However, policies and programs are necessary to provide the support to enact that value. Policies that allow for the housed and unhoused to maintain their relationship with a pet are needed ( Toohey et al, 2017 ; Ramirez et al, 2022 ). These policies will need to consider the impact on staff.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pet ownership issues encountered by geriatric professionals: Preliminary findings from an interdisciplinary sample

et al. 2022

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Pets often factor in older adults’ health behaviors and decisions. However, the degree to which issues related to pet ownership are encountered or addressed by professionals working with this population remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify specific issues stemming from pet ownership professionals had encountered in their work with older adults, people living with dementia, and care partners. An interdisciplinary (e.g., social services and healthcare) sample (N = 462, 89.13% female, Mage = 53.02, SDage = 12.18) completed an online survey addressing pet ownership issues encountered in their work. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze quantitative data. A conventional content analysis was used to analyze open-ended responses to an item asking about “other” issues encountered in their work with these populations. The professionals estimated 46.29% of clients had been pet owners, 41.23% regularly asked about pets, and 79.22% had encountered issues related to pet ownership. Specific issues raised to the professionals varied by type of client. The professionals reported older adults most often raised getting pet items into the home and concerns about their pets’ health. The issues most often raised by people living with dementia to the professionals were planning for the pet due to a housing transition and basic pet care. Care partners focused on basic pet care and planning for the pet due to a housing transition. The professionals themselves most often raised the issues of basic pet care, concerns about falling, and the pets’ behavior. Professionals who entered clients’ homes were more likely to raise issues stemming from pet ownership compared to those who reported they did not enter clients’ homes in their current job, t(429.40) = 5.59, p < 0.00001. The eleven new issues identified by the content analysis (e.g., pets impeding care, people refusing care due to the pet) underscored how the health and wellbeing of people and their pets are linked. The results of this study provide strong evidence that professionals do encounter issues related to pet ownership. Including issues stemming from pet ownership into procedures, policies, and programs is likely to have positive impacts on those served by and working in the geriatric workforce.

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“…One of the many barriers to securing housing is having a companion animal and the reluctance of landlords or housing management organisations to allow applications from companion animal guardians [ 35 , 44 , 63 , 72 , 88 , 89 , 90 ]. For animal guardians trying to exit homelessness, pet ownership is the biggest barrier [ 81 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ].…”

Section: Applying the Social Determinants Of Health To Companion Anim...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of the Social Determinants of Human Health on Companion Animal Welfare

McDowall

Hazel

Chittleborough

et al. 2023

Animals

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The social determinants of health (SDH) focus on the social, physical and economic factors that impact human health. Studies have revealed that animal guardians face a range of challenges in attaining positive welfare outcomes for their companion animals, which can be influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. Despite this, there is a lack of research specifically exploring the relationship between SDH and animal welfare outcomes. Given that the SDH impact on humans, which in turn directly impacts on their companion animal, it is important to adapt an SDH framework for companion animal welfare by characterising the impact of the SDH on companion animal guardians in their attempts to care for their animals and, by extension, the associated welfare outcomes. This paper explores how these human health determinants may impact animal welfare and the possible challenges that may arise for the guardian when attempting to meet their companion animal’s welfare needs. By integrating the SDH with other key frameworks, including the five domains model of animal welfare, through multidisciplinary collaboration, this framework can be used to inform future programs aiming to improve animal welfare.

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The Impact of Pet Ownership on Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Cited by 12 publications

References 33 publications

Shifting the Focus: A Photovoice exploration of the benefits and barriers of having a pet while experiencing homelessness

Shifting the Focus: A Photovoice exploration of the benefits and barriers of having a pet while experiencing homelessness

Pet ownership issues encountered by geriatric professionals: Preliminary findings from an interdisciplinary sample

The Impact of the Social Determinants of Human Health on Companion Animal Welfare

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