The American Veterinary Medical Association defines the human-animal bond as “a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both.”  The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) states that “positive human-animal interaction appears to be related to changes in physiological variables both in humans and animals, particularly dogs.  People are happier and healthier in the presence of animals.  Scientifically documented benefits of the human-animal bond include decreased blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and enhanced feelings of well-being.”  The CDC states that “during the pandemic, more than 3 in 10 adults reported having symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder since May 2020 in the United States.   Approximately 35% of adult Kentuckians reported having symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder in May 2021, which was higher than the national average.”  According to Mental Health Foundation, “pets can have a calming effect on their owner.  Just by stroking, sitting next to or playing with a pet can give the owner a chance to relax and calm their minds.” 

According to the Campbell County Community Needs Assessment 2018, mental health awareness and support for mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, worry, and depression were among the most pressing needs for the county.   Since the onset of COVID19, these have become even more pressing needs.   

To help people become more aware of how pets can assist in bettering mental health and wellbeing, Ronda Rex, Campbell County Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, created a program called “Hearts Unite…The Unconditional Love of Pets.”   This program not only focuses on the human-animal bond and responsible pet ownership, but it has also allowed the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service’s Office staff to experience a new program to help with more positive employee/staff interactions and bonding in the workplace.   Pets are “natural convenors" and bring people together in very positive ways.  According to PetPartners.org, “unfortunately, universities are really latecomers in taking notice of the potential of this field of Therapy Animal Work.”  “Research also shows that animals in the workplace often lead to more productive co-worker interaction, increased trust levels between colleagues, and more effective collaboration.” https://petpartners.org/workplace-well-being  

On May 6, 2021, Hearts Unite…The Unconditional Love of Pets was conducted through a hybrid class.  Ronda Rex, Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education focused on the University of Kentucky research—based publication, the “Power of Pets”.  The publication was transformed into a power point and focused on:   how the “influence of pets is powerful across the life course, how pets help teach children responsibility and how pets can teach lessons about living and death. The program also focused on how pets can bring cheer and distraction during times of stress, keep families talking, help to combat loneliness and can reduce anxiety. Pets can serve as companions, work as service animals for those who live with disabilities, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and promote a sense of purpose as animals need to be fed, walked, groomed, and loved. Pets promote physical activity which enhances energy levels, decreases the risk of heart disease, keeps bones healthy and strong, and supports the immune system. Pets can be so much fun. They make you smile and laugh. However, pets are also a lot of work and can be expensive. Pets take time. Pets need to fit your lifestyle. Pets need training. Homes need to be pet friendly and the pet needs to be appropriate for your family or situation. With anything new, there is an adjustment period. During such times as the pandemic, when emotional strain runs high, pets are powerful because they are present. Research demonstrates that people naturally turn to their pets for support in times of angst.

 This is because pets can: 

• Combat social isolation and loneliness 

• Offer nonjudgmental emotional support 

• Provide a mood boost 

• Tap your senses (touch) 

• Help with maintaining a routine and sense of normalcy 

• Provide distraction or keep you going 

• Contribute to mental health 

While research on human-animal interaction is still relatively new, we do know for certain that pets help people to keep going.” (The Power of Pets)

The CDC states that studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners.  Some of the health benefits of having a pet include:  

1. Decreased blood pressure
2. Decreased cholesterol levels
3. Decreased triglyceride levels
4. Decreased feelings of loneliness
5. Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
6. Increased opportunities for socialization 

Ronda collaborated with Susan Steinhardt and her therapy dog, Bailey, from Pet Partners of Cincinnati, OH.  Susan spoke about the Pet Partners organization (purpose and goals), the differences between a Service and Assistance Animal, an Emotional Support Animal and a Therapy Animal.  She showed research studies providing data on the human—animal bond, the opportunities that Pet Partners provides, how to become a pet advocate, and how to become a therapy team with your pet.  The Hearts Unite Program was marketed to Extension’s traditional audience (FCS Newsletter and Facebook, county Extension staff) and to new audiences (Northern Kentucky Pride, Northern Kentucky University’s LGBTQ Program and Services, Polished Dog Training, Tri-State Canine, a local animal shelter and veterinarian offices.  

An end of class survey revealed that 100% of the fourteen participants said that they would practice at least one of the tips mentioned about practicing mindfulness with their pets.  One hundred percent felt that they turn to their pets in times of stress.  Eighty percent said because of the class they will practice at least one tip that was taught about how to positively bond with their pets and will allow their pets to increase their outdoor physical activity.  One participant stated that their dog, who was adopted during Covid, is helping the family enjoy hikes together.  Eighty percent said that they would do their homework before adopting to make sure that the pet fits into their family/lifestyle.  Eighty percent vowed to help teach youth (theirs or someone else’s) about how to properly care for and respect pets.  Sixty percent of the participants stated that they now know more about how humans and pets are beneficial to one another and how that human-animal bond forms.  Forty percent showed interest in becoming involved in a community service opportunity that Pet Partners provides.   Participants stated that a pet had influenced their life in a positive manner, and because of the class, they could now identify that positive benefit.   Some testimonials are as follows:

“My pet provides hugs and snuggles no matter how busy/stressful the day has been.” 

“My pets are always glad to see me.  Petting them is comforting by siting on my lap and keeping me warm.”

“My pet provides me with stress relief.  Also petting my pet helps me relax so I can get to sleep.” 

“I co-own a kennel with my brother and realize that each pet that has stayed with us has left us with a lasting memory.” 

“My cat became my best companion when I lived by myself.”

The Power of Pets was also taught on Campbell Media Public Television which has 12,600 subscribers.  Ronda also presented the Power of Pets at the Campbell County Community Celebration Event with 200 participants attending the event.  The Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati was invited to this event as a collaborator and focused on how to adopt a dog successfully.    

As the program evolved and the pandemic continued, part two, Paws in the Garden, was created and conducted.  The two-part program was conducted 8 different times to individuals and families of various ages and stages of life.

Paws in the Garden focused on how to help relieve stress during the pandemic for the Campbell County Extension Staff.   Ronda recognized that Extension was going through difficult changes both in the organization as a whole and in the Campbell County office and during a pandemic.  To keep morale up and assist with mental health and wellness, Paws in the Garden was conducted June 25^th through August 27^th (every 4^th Friday of the month).  According to the American Kennel Club, “there are several benefits of having a dog friendly office:  relieves stress, promotes positive interaction, decreases employee turnover, attracts top talent, increases performance, decreases pet care cost and improves morale.”  Paws in the Garden focused on providing help with mental health/wellness, boosting morale and a bonding time for the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Staff.   Ronda facilitated each session by providing space in the office’s Educational Gardens and allowing the staff an opportunity to bring their dogs to lunch and enjoy time together to either bond or enjoy mindful moments with their pets.  According to the Harvard Medical School, “Mindfulness is a component of many relaxation techniques, including yoga, deep breathing, tai chi, massage, reflexology, journaling, and prayer.  The mindfulness technique can easily be used while walking or spending time with a dog.”  In fact, dogs can show humans how to do this because dogs live in the present moment very much unlike humans, running around in this chaotic world.  

 An end of series survey revealed the following:   

1.  Seven Campbell County Extension staff attended the sessions.
2. 100% looked forward to Paws in the Garden as a welcomed break from work and the stress of organizational change and the pandemic.
3. 100% appreciated dog and human socialization.
4. 100% said that Paws in the Garden allowed them to connect with another co-worker in a way that they have not been able to before.
5. 100% felt less stressed and more motivated because of Paws in the Garden.
6. 100% felt that the program helped with workplace morale.
7. 100% felt even more strongly about the human/animal bond because of the program.
8. 100% said that they would support the Campbell County Extension Office in adopting a pet friendly office and would comply with any pet friendly policy and procedures.

Testimonials for Paws in the Garden are as follows:

1. “I was so excited to hear about the program and I looked forward to it every month.”
2. “I strongly believe that spending time with animals can be beneficial to mental/emotional health.  It was nice to take a break during lunch and spend time with the dogs.”
3. “It made me feel valued and better; to regroup and feel refreshed afterwards; gives your brain a moment to relax which then helps create juices to flow.”
4. “I felt calm and comforted.”
5. “Actually, it was refreshing to forget about the hustle and bustle of your day and just enjoy the unconditional love of your pet (or your grand dog).”
6. “Paws in the Garden gave an opportunity for everyone in the office to participate.”
7. “I was in a good mood all day these days.”
8. “Just really want to emphasize how helpful having my dog/other dogs around was for my stress levels.”
9. “It gave me something to look forward to and definitely helped me feel less stressed heading into the weekend.”
10. “I felt really happy being able to get doggy cuddles and I felt so excited to allow my dog to do something he loved as well.”
11. “Thank you for Paws in the Garden.  It has been the highlight of my summer.  I hope you know how much it meant to me.  It really brightened my days.”
12. “It was nice seeing our dogs meet new friends and then me and my co-workers engaged in conversations about our furry animals which is nice to learn something new about my co-workers.”
13. “We need more opportunities like this for breaks.   Breaks allow me to refocus and feel more energized.”
14. “I learned how others adopted their furry animals and some of the challenges they have had to overcome.  Our animals are a part of our family!”
15. “Covid has been an extremely stressful time for me.   Having the dogs here definitely helped me.  It brought some joy to the day.  It has been much needed here.”
16. “I got to talk to someone who was hired during Covid.  I had briefly talked to her in the hallways (with masks on).  Out in the garden, I got to have a real conversation with her.   We speak more often now and she came to me about working on a school project together.    I think this helped bring some of the staff closer.  Thanks Ronda!”
17. “I think it helped bond us together more.   Meeting people’s family members whether a parent, spouse, child, or dog helps you connect w/a co-worker in my opinion.   Dogs are family members.  I always enjoy meeting people’s family members, pets included.  ??

Ronda also taught the Hearts Unite Program to two youth groups, the Ft Thomas Homeschool Co-op and to Flower Buds youth.  Both groups learned about and practiced how to properly care for a dog.  Kai, Ronda’s retired Greyhound racer visited both groups with the youth learning proper dog etiquette and practicing mindfulness with a pet.   The Homeschool Co-op also learned to make homemade dog toys and the toys will be donated to the Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati.   This was a Community Service Project for the Co-op.  Maria Bozeman, Ft Thomas Homeschool Co-op Teacher, stated that “having a dog visit her class was positively a highlight for her students.  It was such a highlight that the students decided to do a “bring your pet” the last day of their Co-op.”  She stated that “it was fun for them to learn about the power of pets but without an actual dog present, it wouldn’t have been as engaging for he kids.”  Maria stated that her “students continued to make the homemade dog toys to give to dogs in the community.”  The students want Kai and sister Zoe to make more visits in the future.  

Hearts Unite was also taught at the Ft Thomas Library, Boone County Extension Office and at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension State Conference for Extension staff.  The Ft Thomas Library and Boone County Extension participants both made dog toys for the Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati.  The Staff at the Extension Conference learned about Hearts Unite and Paws in the Garden as an example of an Urban Extension program to help the community with mental health and wellness through the human/animal bond experience.     

End of program evaluations for the 10 Flower Bud families (with children ages 3-5) revealed that 100% felt happy, calm, and soothed spending time with Kai the Greyhound in a safe environment.  One hundred percent of the families stated that they would like for Kai to continue to make visits periodically to help with feeling happy, calm, and soothed.  One hundred percent of the parents stated that their child learned something new about how to take care of a pet/dog and learned something new about a classmate or another family in the program.  

Sources:

The Power of Pets-Amy F. Kostelic, Adult Development and Aging Specialist, Natalie Jones, Health Specialist, and Mindy McCulley, Instructional Support Specialist

About Pets & People--Center for Disease Control and Prevention

PetPartners.org 

The Pet Effect—Human Animal Bond Research Institute (habri.org)

Empirical Support for Therapy Animal Interventions, PetPartners.org

Mindfulness and your dog, Pets can help their humans create friendships, find social support –Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School

How pets can sharpen your mindfulness skills—Lauretta Williams, animalwellnessmagazine.com/pets—mindfulness/ September 18, 2019

So many pets have been adopted during the pandemic that shelters are running out—Dana Hedgpeth, The Washington Post January 6, 2021

Mental Health Foundation, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/pets-and-mental-health

The American Medical Association (AVMA)

Michigan State University Libraries

Unit 1: Discovering Therapy Animal Work, Lesson 1.1: The Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program

kentuckyhealthfacts.org 

Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati (GAGC)

American Kennel Club    

                                                                         Hearts Unite…The Unconditional Love of Pets was taught to the Ft Thomas Homeschool at Mrs. Bozeman’s home.   The students are enjoying time with Kai, the retired Greyhound racer.                                                                  

            Hearts Unite…The Unconditional Love of Pets conducted as a hybrid class.

Paws in the Garden (above and below photos) at the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service Educational Gardens.  Cooperative Extension Staff enjoying lunch with their dogs and with each other.