Abstract:
There is growing interest in the health-promoting potential of human-companion animal relationships from a broad public health perspective while acknowledging barriers to ownership, particularly for older adults. Companion animal fostering is an alternative to pet ownership that aligns with the Ottawa Charter health promotion principle that caring for others in everyday settings promotes health. This narrative review of the literature on companion animal fostering draws on Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four-sided house), an indigenous model of health that is influential in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and the Ottawa Charter. We found that companion animal fostering can be considered health-promoting for human and non-human animals, using a broad and multidimensional understanding of health. As well as improving the long-term outcomes for homeless animals, companion animal fostering has the potential to promote the health of the individuals, families, and communities who provide foster homes. Our review highlights the importance of health promoters considering the reciprocal relationship between human and animal health. Future research should explore different aspects of human and non-human health, perspectives of different types of fosterers in different settings and communities, barriers to fostering, and methods that explore the role of caring for a wider range of companion animals in creating and sustaining wellbeing.
摘要:
从广泛的公共卫生角度来看,人们对人类与伴侣动物关系的健康促进潜力越来越感兴趣,同时承认所有权的障碍,特别是对于老年人。伴侣动物饲养是宠物所有权的替代方案,符合渥太华宪章健康促进原则,即在日常环境中照顾他人促进健康。对伴侣动物饲养文献的叙述回顾借鉴了TeWhareTapaWhā(四面房屋),在Aotearoa/新西兰有影响力的土著健康模式,《渥太华宪章》。我们发现,伴侣动物饲养可以被认为是人类和非人类动物的健康促进,使用对健康的广泛和多维的理解。除了改善无家可归动物的长期结果,伴侣动物饲养有可能促进个体的健康,家庭,以及提供寄养家庭的社区。我们的评论强调了考虑人与动物健康之间相互关系的健康促进者的重要性。未来的研究应该探索人类和非人类健康的不同方面,不同环境和社区中不同类型的寄养者的观点,培养障碍,以及探索照顾更广泛的伴侣动物在创造和维持福祉中的作用的方法。