Companion animals and older people

The benefits of companion animals to older people have long been suggested but much of the available evidence has been anecdotal. Recent research has provided evidence of how the human‐animal bond can enrich an older person’s life, and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, many older people still have to give up their pets when they enter sheltered accommodation. On May 4, the Society for Companion Animal Studies ( SCAS ), in association with Age Concern, held its spring conference in London, where discussions centred on many of the important issues concerning older people and companion animals. The different aspects of pet ownership and how they affected older people were examined during the day.