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. 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 Humane Society of the United States offers questions and guidelines to help people considering pet ownership. If you and/or your parents are involved in a caregiving situation, then you might also consider these questions in that context.

• Why do you want a pet?
• Do you have time for a pet?
• Can you afford a pet?
• Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause?
• Can you have a pet where you live?
• Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?
• Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?
• Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation?
• Will you be a responsible pet owner?
• Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime?

In thinking about some of these questions as they relate to your parents, try to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of pet ownership. Research has demonstrated that older adults can demonstrate physical and mental health benefits from owning a pet, (Sellers, 2007). These benefits are as varied as lowering heart rate and blood pressure (Allen, 2003; Allen, Blascovich, & Mendes, 2002) to decreasing loneliness (Banks & Banks, 2005) and agitated behaviors in residents with dementia at long-term care facilities (Churchill, Safaoui, McCabe & Baun, 1999; Sellers, 2005).

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. A good first starting place might be your local Yellow Pages or local newspaper. In any event, 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 get a pet, 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, as well. 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 an emergency, and make sure that this person has access to the house, instructions for care, and all medical information related to the pet. This will ensure care in the short-term crisis (Rattner Heilman, 2008).

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.
• Delta Society (n.d.). Locate a Pet Partners Team, Team Evaluator, Instructor or Affiliate Group. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from Delta Society web site at http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=367.
• Humane Society of the United States (n.d.). What to consider before adopting a pet." Retrieved September 29, 2009 from www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/what_to_consider_before_adopting_a_pet.html.
• Rattner Heilman, J. (2008). What you can do for the pet left behind." Retrieved September 29, 2008 from bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/family/articles/what_you_can_do_for.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.
• Sellers, D. (2007). Health benefits of pets." Retrieved September 29, 2008 from www.extension.org/pages/Health_Benefits_of_Pets.
• Therapy Dogs International (n.d.) Information for Facilities. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://www.tdi-dog.org/About.aspx?Page=Information+for+Facilities