Webinar: Companion Animals and Healthy Aging

Can our relationship with animals support healthy aging?  Social isolation, loneliness, and limited physical and social activity are long thought as threats to health and wellness among older adults. Human- Animal Interaction (HAI) research points to the potential for positive health impacts increase in social connections – i.e., a decrease in social isolation and loneliness including through increasing health behaviors such as regular walking and social capital associated with having a companion animal. Animal connections have long been seen as a solution within institutional settings for older adults through the Eden Model. In this workshop, we will explore new initiatives including age friendly and natural occurring community efforts to establishing the connection between pet companionship and potential health improvement outcomes across the life span.