The benefits of having a pet are well documented, and have long been associated with numerous physical and mental health advantages. For vulnerable populations — including  senior citizens, veterans, active-duty military service members, and unhoused individuals — the bond with a pet can be particularly impactful for overall wellness. Here’s how pet ownership offers key health and quality of life advantages for vulnerable groups.

Senior Citizens

Companionship and Reduced Loneliness

For many older adults, loneliness and social isolation are significant challenges. Pets support emotional wellness for seniors by providing constant companionship and facilitating social interaction with neighbors, other pet owners, and veterinarians. Seniors who have pets enjoy enhanced mental health, as they experience decreased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress while feeling a positive sense of purpose and responsibility as pet caregivers. Additionally, pets have been shown to improve brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Physical Activity and Health Benefits

Owning a pet, particularly a dog, encourages seniors to stay active. Regular walks and playtime with pets can lead to increased physical activity, which is crucial for maintaining mobility and overall health. Studies have shown that pet owners often have lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels compared to non-pet owners.

Veterans and Active-Duty Military Service Members

Emotional Support and Stress Reduction

Active-duty military service members and veterans often face high levels of stress and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So-called military pets, especially dogs, can provide emotional support and help relieve anxiety. The simple act of interacting with a pet can release oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and stress reduction.

Social Interaction and Community Integration

As much as they are for any socially isolated individuals, pets for veterans are beneficial because animals can also facilitate casual social interactions, making connecting with community members easier. Walking a dog, for instance, can lead to conversations and connections with other pet owners, reducing social isolation.

Unhoused Populations

Companionship and Emotional Stability

Pets provide many intangible things homeless people need, including companionship and emotional stability. Pets can help unhoused individuals cope with the stress and uncertainty of their living situations. Research indicates that the bond between homeless individuals and their pets can be incredibly strong, providing a sense of purpose and responsibility.

Safety and Security

Pets can also offer a sense of safety and security for unhoused individuals. Dogs in particular can provide a degree of protection and deter potential threats, contributing to improved safety and peace of mind.

Access to Services

Interestingly, pets can sometimes facilitate access to essential social services for their unhoused human owners. Many communities and organizations recognize the importance of pets and offer pet-friendly shelters and services, ensuring that individuals do not have to choose between their pets and their safety. Organizations that offer pet-related services for vulnerable populations may also be able to refer the owners to essential human service programs that can help unhoused owners and pets alike attain a more stable, healthy lifestyle.

The wellness benefits of pet ownership for all of us, but especially vulnerable populations, cannot be overstated. The human-animal bond is a powerful tool for improving mental and physical health, enhancing quality of life, and providing a sense of purpose for those in need.

Facilitating pet ownership in vulnerable groups can lead to profound positive outcomes for everyone involved. You can do this by supporting a nonprofit organization that serves pets and vulnerable populations.

Support Pet Owner Mental Health With the FACE Foundation

Established in 2006 by a group of veterinarians and concerned community members, the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial grants for animal owners who are unable to afford the cost of their pet’s emergency or critical care.

FACE’s Community Outreach Program focuses on connecting underserved pet owners with resources to veterinary care and pet supplies. Since 2016, FACE has partnered with 14 different organizations to serve over 13,500 pet owners in San Diego County, many of whom are experiencing homelessness.

You can help support our Community Outreach Program by donating items from our Amazon Wish List; by donating your new, unused collars, leashes, blankets, unopened pet food, and other supplies; or by making a monetary donation specifically for this program here. If you’d like to get involved with this program, please email [email protected].

FACE’s work is as important for the animals we save and the mental health of the veterinarians who treat them as it is for the families spared the heartbreak of losing their best friend. Your tax-deductible donation funds life-saving veterinary care for beloved family pets. Give today!