Well-Being Over the Life Course : Incorporating Human-Animal Interaction

Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Authors
Abbreviations
Well-Being over the Life Course: Incorporating Human-Animal Interaction
	Human-Animal Interaction
	Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) and Well-Being
	Dimensions of Well-Being over the Life Course
	Pets as Family Members
	Health over the Life Course and Human-Animal Interaction
	Well-Being and Animal-Assisted Interventions
	Conclusion
	References
Integrating Pets into the Family Life Cycle
	Family Life Cycle
	Pets as Family Members
		Young Adults and Childless Couples
		Families with Children
		Empty Nests and Aging Families
	Family Well-Being and Pets
	Conclusion
	References
Companion Animal Caregiving and Well-Being
	Benefits of Companion Animals
	Family Caregiving and Stress
	Caregiver Burden
	Companion Animal Illness and Loss
	Bereavement
	Continuing Bonds
	Conclusion
	References
Health over the Life Course and Human-Animal Interaction
	Human-Animal Interaction and Health
	Child Health and Well-Being
	Adult Health and Well-Being and HAI
	Research Gaps
	Panel Study of Income Dynamics, Child Development Supplement (PSID CDS)
	Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten  Cohort 2011 (ECLS-K:2011)
	General Social Survey (GSS)
	Health and Retirement Study (HRS)
	Conclusion
	References
Human-Animal Interaction and Child Health and Development
	Pets in the Developmental System
	Social-Emotional Development
	Cognition
	Physical Health
	Potential Risks and Challenges
	Research Issues and Challenges
	Conclusions
	References
Successful Aging and Human-Animal Interaction
	Pet Ownership and Older Adults
		Physical Health and Exercise
		Mental Health
		Loneliness
	Interacting with Companion Animals
		Physical Health and Exercise
		Mental Health
		Loneliness
	Conclusion and Next Steps
	References
Animal-Assisted Interactions Designed to Improve Human Wellbeing Across the Life Course
	AAI and Preschoolers
	AAI and Primary School Age Children
		AAI and Reading/Cognition
		AAI and Social Behavior Deficits
		AAI and Psychotherapy for Children
		AAI and Trauma Counseling for Children
	AAI and Young Adults
	AAI and Special Populations of Children
	AAI and Special Populations of Adults
		AAI and the US Military Personnel
		Equine AAI and Abused Adult Women
	AAI and Older Adults
	AAI in Acute Care Hospital Settings
	Conclusion
	References
Conclusion
	Social Capital
	Cultural Considerations
	The Needs of the Animal
	Understanding Pet Ownership
	Establishing the Evidence Base
	References