Many adult children wonder about bringing pets into their parents' lives. Sometimes, the parents want the pet and the adult child wonders about the wisdom of the idea; sometimes, the adult child may think a pet will provide companionship and/or a diversion for a parent. Bringing a pet into any living situation is an important decision, and one that has ramifications for many years. You can help your parents think through all the tasks and responsibilities associated with pet ownership. Consider inviting your parents to talk with their physician about the idea as s/he may be able to offer a valuable medical perspective before your parents make their decision. Another idea may be to talk to a veterinarian about the challenges and benefits of pet ownership before acquiring an animal.

As an initial starting place, the American Kennel Club offers guidelines to help people considering dog ownership. If you and/or your parents are involved in a caregiving situation, then you might also consider these suggestions in that context. Under the Think First section of their web site, the AKC suggests:

1. Recognize the Commitment
2. Evaluate Your Lifestyle
3. Make a List
4. Choose a Breed
5. Get a Referral
6. Make Contact
7. Ask Questions
8. Consider an Older Dog
9. Expect Questions
10. Prepare to Wait
11. Skip the Holidays

In thinking about some of these tips as they relate to your parents, try to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of pet ownership. Perhaps your parents believe that pet ownership is right for them, but that they need a little help. You might consider pet sitters or "doggie day care services." Both of these options might ease the responsibilities of pet ownership, while letting your parents reap some of the benefits. You might consider ensuring that anyone you hire is bonded and insured.

It may be that when your parents go through the list objectively, they may come to the decision that pet ownership is too much for them to take on at this time. Another option might be to have a certified animal-assisted activity team visit your parents from time to time. The Delta Society is an organization dedicated to the human-animal bond, and it sponsors a voluntary program called Pet Partners. Animal-human teams visit individuals who can benefit from animal interaction. You can inquire about these services online by visiting the Delta Society web site at http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=367. Another option is Therapy Dogs International; they focus on institutional visits. You can visit online at http://www.tdi-dog.org/About.aspx?Page=Information+for+Facilities.

If your parents do decide to go ahead with pet ownership, there are many other things to consider, including what kind of a pet might be right for them. Many of the resources already referenced here can help with that decision. The life expectancy of a pet is certainly one thing to consider and the life expectancy of different animals varies. There are even differences among breeds of dogs, so this is something to think about if you have made the decision to enter into pet ownership. One idea is to establish who will take care of the pet in case of a personal or other emergency. Information about pet items and plans may be found on the Ready America web site: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html.

Additionally, some people are beginning to plan in advance for their pets in the event of their own death. As an example, there is a Perpetual Pet Care program at Kansas State University, which is coordinated by the College of Veterinary Medicine (for more information about this specific program, you may email the College at perpetualpetcare@vet.k-state.edu). Other programs exist in other areas of the United States. Check with a local veterinarian for reputable options. You may also ask an attorney about the options that exist for establishing a pet trust, or at least establishing for the care of your pet in your will.

Entering into pet ownership is a life-changing event, and deserves serious contemplation and reflection. You might want to visit:

• Matching Senior Citizens With Pets, an eXtension article at www.extension.org/pages/Matching_Senior_Citizens_With_Pets
• Pets Can Be Better Than a Pill, an eXtension article at www.extension.org/pages/Pets_Can_be_Better_Than_a_Pill
• The University of Missouri Extension for an article about pet ownership: extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pets/g09900.htm

References

• Allen, K. (2003). Are pets a healthy pleasure? The influence of pets on blood pressure. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(6), 236-239.
• Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W.B. (2002). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: The truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 727-739.
• Banks, M. R. & Banks, W.A. (2005). The effects of group and individual animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in residents of long-term care facilities. Anthrozoös, 18(4), 396-408.
• Churchill, M., Safaoui, J., McCabe, B.W., & Baun, M.M. (1999). Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 37(4), 16-22.
• Daily, Mary. (June, 2008). In pets_we_trust." Retrieved January 17, 2011 from http://www.aarp.org/relationships/pets/info-04-2009/in_pets_we_trust.html.
• Delta Society (n.d.). Locate a Pet Partners Team, Team Evaluator, Instructor or Affiliate Group. Retrieved January 17, 2011 from Delta Society web site at http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=367.
• Ready America (n.d.). Pet Items. Retrieved January 17, 2011 from http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html.
• Sellers, D.M. (2005). The evaluation of an animal assisted therapy intervention for elders with dementia in long-term care. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 30(1), 61-77.
• The American Kennel Club (n.d.). Be a Responsible Dog Owner." Retrieved January 17, 2011 from http://www.akc.org/public_education/responsible_dog_owner.cfm#thinkfirst.
• Therapy Dogs International (n.d.) Information for Facilities. Retrieved January 17, 2011 from http://www.tdi-dog.org/About.aspx?Page=Information+for+Facilities

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