BRUSSELS, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Scientists Reinforce Health
Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction, Particularly for Older
Adults
Creative solutions can enable older adults to spend more time
with pets enjoying the emotional and physical benefits that this
bonding experience can bring. Researchers at the WALTHAM® Centre
for Pet Nutrition, University of
Montana and The Ohio State
University have released new recommendations that highlight
potential solutions to overcome both perceived and real barriers to
pet ownership.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150331/735496 )
Existing schemes to help older adults include financial help
with adoption fees, home delivery of pet food (such as Meals on
Wheels for pets) and programs to help look after or rehome pets if
adults become unable to care for them. New solutions could include
'pet-adoption prescriptions' for older adults affected with grief
or isolation, trial adoptions from shelters and guidance on pet
species and breed to match the individual's needs.
"Many older adults would love to spend time with a pet and would
benefit greatly from the positive effects the companionship brings,
yet they worry about how they can afford or care for a pet," said
Sandra McCune, PhD, Scientific
Leader, Human Animal Interaction at WALTHAM®. "In many cases, these
barriers are easy to overcome. This new report shines a light on
the services that exist, and inspires communities, institutions and
policymakers to find new and innovative solutions. We envision a
future in which fostering human-animal bonds is no longer seen as
alternative care, but a standard of care."
To find out more about the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition,
click here.
About the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition:
Celebrating over 50 years of innovative science, the
WALTHAM® Centre for Pet
Nutrition serves as a leading scientific authority in advancing the
frontiers of research into the nutrition and health of companion
animals. Located in Leicestershire,
England, the renowned state-of-the-art science institute for
Mars, Incorporated generates knowledge that enables the development
of innovative products that meet pets' needs in a practical way.
Since the publication of its first original research in 1963,
WALTHAM® has pioneered
many important breakthroughs in the field of pet nutrition and
human-animal interaction, resulting in more than 1,700
publications, including over 600 peer-review scientific papers.
Today, WALTHAM®
continues to collaborate with the world's foremost scientific
institutes, driving Mars' Petcare vision to create a better world
for pets and providing the science and expertise that underpins
leading Mars brands such as WHISKAS®, PEDIGREE®, NUTRO®, TRILL®,
CESAR®, SHEBA®, KITEKAT®, DREAMIES™, AQUARIAN®, WINERGY®, BANFIELD®
Pet Hospital and the ROYAL CANIN brand.
About Mars, Incorporated:
Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars
has net sales of more than $33
billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate,
Wrigley, Food, Drinks,
Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are
putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people
and the planet through its performance.
Mars brands include: Petcare - PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®,
WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and
NUTRO®; Chocolate - M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®,
MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley -
DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and
STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food
- UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and
ROYCO®; Drinks - ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™,
KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience - COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.
For more information, please visit http://mars.com .
Follow us: http://facebook.com/mars,
http://twitter.com/marsglobal, http://youtube.com/mars,
http://linkedin.com/company/mars
Full details of the publication can be found by following this
link:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01924788.2015.994447#.VQmEotLF-6I
Media contact
Abigail Stevenson
Telephone: +44-7966-920486
Email: Abigail.stevenson@effem.com