Partners of Military Veterans and Their Pet Dogs: Exploring the Human-Animal Bond

Partners of military veterans with mental health challenges may experience more stress than their civilian counterparts due to unique stressors. Consequently, exploration of effective support mechanisms is warranted. Research suggests that pets provide social support to various populations. This qua...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Best practices in mental health 2023-09, Vol.19 (1), p.49-64
Main Authors: Pratt, Beth A., Krause-Parello, Cheryl A., Spadola, Christine E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal human relations
Animals
Bonds
Couples
Data analysis
Dogs
Family
Health aspects
Health care
Health care industry
Health care reform
Health services
Human-Animal Bond
Humans
Interviews
Medical personnel
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Military personnel
Military Veteran Families
Pets
Post traumatic stress disorder
Qualitative research
Questionnaires
Social Support
Stress
Traumatic brain injury
Veterans
Well being
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Summary:Partners of military veterans with mental health challenges may experience more stress than their civilian counterparts due to unique stressors. Consequently, exploration of effective support mechanisms is warranted. Research suggests that pets provide social support to various populations. This qualitative study explored the impact of the human-animal bond in pet-owning partners (N = 17) of veterans with mental health challenges by conducting one-on-one interviews and utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis. Findings support the therapeutic role of pets for veteran partners. Results of this study contribute to emerging evidence for consideration by health care providers including the humananimal bond as a social support mechanism to potentially improve mental health and well-being of veteran partners and their families.
ISSN:1553-555X
2329-5384
DOI:10.70256/435606jqlwll