PETSTRESS

PETSTRESS

Reevenne Heart Ferrera, Zharena Tessa Tenefrancia, Ghysam Dave Dadulla, Adrian

Leal, Mark Angelo Dominice

Saint Paul School of Professional Studies

A Research Proposal
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THE PROBLEM

Many studies utilizing dogs, cats, birds, fish, and robotic simulations of animals

have tried to ascertain the health benefits of pet ownership or animal-assisted therapy in

the elderly. Studies piloting the use of animals in the treatment of depression and

schizophrenia have yielded mixed results. Animals may provide intangible benefits to the

mental health of older persons, such as relief social isolation and boredom. (Cherniack

EP, et al. Curr Gerontol Geriatr Res., 2014)

People who have pets know that there are many benefits to having a companion

animal, but we do not yet know under what circumstances those benefits are most likely.

Our study shows specific health benefits under specific circumstances, that information

can be used to change policies in ways that benefit even more adults and children, by

influencing rules and regulations for schools, health or assisted living facilities, residential

treatment centers, and other places where people’s exposure to animals is sometimes

discouraged but could potentially be encouraged.

Statement of the Problem

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawaken” (Anatole

France,) the better we understand the human-animal bond, the more we can use it to

improve people’s lives. This study aims to determine the impact of having a pet in the

lives of the owners in their daily routine.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What benefits do pets provide to pet lovers?

2. How the attachment between the owner and the pet will affect the motivation of the

owner to his daily life?

3. What are the positive and negative effects of pets into human health?

Scope and Delimitation

Respondents who were selected in the study are pet owners that were interviewed

one-on-one here in Tacloban City, Leyte. The study was conducted from the month of

December 2018 to January 2019. An animal may not work for everyone. The subjects of

the study are pet lovers, veterinarians, and pets itself. The study will focus on the impact

of positive effects that pets pass down to their owners. The approach to be used in this

research is qualitative. Several variables have been stated about the effects of owning a

pet.

Significance of the Study

This study commenced with the aim to provide information that would benefit the

following:

To the Pet Owners: This study will serve as a guide in widening their knowledge

and understanding about the concept having a pet, its effects such as problems they will

encounter to which affects to their health.

To Other Researchers: This study will serve as a guide in widening their

knowledge and understanding about the concept having a pet, its growing relation in
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owning a pet, and its impact to the health of other people. Furthermore, it will serve as a

reference for future related studies in the same nature.

To the Government: This study will provide information to the government that

animal law represents an opportunity for animal advocates to gain for animals’ fair

treatment under the law, including the right to be protected from institutionalized

exploitation.

To the Medical Field: They will gain insights about how pets help in detecting

cancer, and how they have been trained to help people with severe forms of Diabetes,

Narcolepsy, Addison’s disease, and Epilepsy to ensure they get medical attention when

necessary. The result of our study will provide those people in medical field the knowledge

of pet as subjects showing smaller increases in blood pressure and heart rate which made

it more stressful.
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INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Profile of the pet 1. Input in terms of 1. Effects of having a

lovers according to: pet in the life of pet

2. Information about encountered by the 1.1 Human Health

pet lovers 1.2 Motivation in

pet in your life 1.3 Love for the

animals

1.4 Solutions that

can be

encounter from

the problems of

having a pet

Figure 1 FEEDBACK
Conceptual Framework of the study
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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Animals play an important role in many people’s lives. In addition to seeing-eye

dogs and dogs that can be trained to detect seizures, animals can also be used in

occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical rehabilitation to help patients recover.

Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related

hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce

loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood. (Dana Casciotti,

2018)

Pet owners know how much their furry friend improves their quality of life. But it's

not all about unconditional love—although that actually provides a wellness boost, too.

On an emotional level, owning a pet can decrease depression, stress and anxiety;

health-wise, it can lower your blood pressure, improve your immunity and even

decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. (Gekas, 2011)

“The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion, and

awareness,” Berger says. “All of those things are things that animals bring to the table.

People kind of have to learn it. Animals do this innately.” Animals can serve as a source

of comfort and support. Therapy dogs are especially good at this. They’re sometimes

brought into hospitals or nursing homes to help reduce patients’ stress and anxiety.

(Berger, 2018)

In one study, when people were presented with stressful tasks in four different

situations -- alone, with their spouse, with their pet, or with both their spouse and their
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pet -- they experienced the lowest stress response and the quickest recovery in the

situation where they were only with their pet. (Horton, 2019)

Pets and therapy animals can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and

feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Interactions with animals can help people

manage their long-term mental health conditions. A 2016 study explored the role of pets

in the social networks of people managing a long-term mental health problem and found

that pets provide a sense of security and routine that provided emotional and social

support. Studies have also shown that pets are facilitators of getting to know people,

friendship formation and social support networks. The field of human-animal bond

research is dedicated to studying the health benefits of pets and human-animal

interaction. Positive human-animal interaction is related to the changes in physiological

variables both in humans and animals, including a reduction of subjective psychological

stress (fear, anxiety) and an increase of oxytocin levels in the brain. Science

demonstrates that these biological responses have measurable clinical effects. (Feldman,

2016)

A new 2017 study found that newborns who live with cats have a lower risk of

childhood asthma, pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Living with a pet as a child also revs up

your immune system. In fact, just a brief pet encounter can invigorate your disease-

defense system. In one study, petting a dog for only 18 minutes raised immunoglobulin A

(IgA) levels in college students' saliva, a sign of robust immune function. (Stevens, 2018)
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METHODOLOGY

Applied research is a methodology used to solve a specific, practical problem of

an individual or group. The study and research is used in business, medicine and

education in order to find solutions that may cure diseases, solve scientific problem or

developed technology.

Research Design

Qualitative research design is a research method used extensively by scientists

and researchers studying human behavior, opinions, themes and motivations. Qualitative

research is often regarded as a precursor to quantitative research, in that it can generate

leads and ideas which can be used to formulate a realistic and testable hypothesis. It is

concerned with the features, attributes and characteristics of phenomenon that can be

interpreted thematically.

Sampling

Non-Probability Sampling is a method where every member of the populace is

not ensured of an equal chance of being selected. It is referred to as “bias or judgment

sampling technique”. This method does not require a complete list of the members of the

population, the reason why it is less precise in terms of result than the probability sampling

technique.

Purposive Sampling was issued in this study in which fifteen (15) interviewee will

be chosen. In this method the researchers used Quota sampling for it involves the

selection of prospective participants according to specified quotas regarding

characteristics such as:

1. Ownership of those pets;

2. Awareness of the problems encountered by the pet owners;

3. And creating solutions to those problems they encounter.

In this research we will conduct a survey to 15 interviewees particularly the owners

of pets. They will be asked about the effects of having a pet in their lives. The interviewer

will gather its data in Tacloban City, Leyte. Data gathered will be from the questionnaires

distributed to the interviewee.

Data Collection Procedure and Techniques

To gather the needed data and information, the following basic steps were

chronologically undertaken by the researcher. First, the researchers prioritized searching

for some review of related literatures and instruments used in relevant studies, to act as

the very foundation of this whole research. Second, they constructed the survey

questionnaire according to the specific problems of the present study in which it was

presented to the adviser for approval. The researchers incorporated the suggested

changes by the adviser, in the final instrument and presented for validation.

The questionnaires were then administered and retrieved and data gathered were

encoded and employed appropriate statistical tools to derive necessary data for

interpretation. Lastly the researcher organized, interpreted and analyzed the data

gathered.

Presentation and Analyzing of Data

The presentation and analysis of data are classified according to theme

coding. Phenomenology is a qualitative research method that is used to describe how

human beings experience a certain phenomenon. A phenomenological study attempts to

set aside biases and preconceived assumptions about human experiences, feelings, and

responses to a particular situation. (Giorgi, 2012)

Exhibit A

Guided Questionnaire

Profile of Respondent:

Name (optional): ___________________________________

Age: _____

Part I: Instruction: Encircle the letter of your corresponding answer.

1. Gender

a. Female

b. Male

2. Type of Pet

a. Dog

b. Cat

c. Fish

d. Others (specify) ______________________

3. Years of Having a Pet

a. 1-2

b. 2-3

c. 3-4

d. 4 and above
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Part II: Instruction: Answer the following questions.

1. How is the attachment between you and your pet affect your motivation in your

daily life?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2. What benefits do your pet provide you?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3. What are the positive and negative effects of your pet into your health?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4. What are the problems you encountered with your pet?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

5. How will the you overcome those problems you encounter?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT B
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REFERENCES

Cherniack. P. E., Cherniack, A. R. (2014). Hindawi. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.

France, A. (n.d). Brainy Quote. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com

/quotes/anatole_france_383929

Casciotti, D., Zuckerman, D. (2018). National Center for Health Research. Retrieved
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Gekas, A. (2011). Woman’s Day. Retrieved from https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-

care/a2352/10-health-benefits-of-owning-a-pet-116238/

Berger, A. (2018). News in Health. Retrieved from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/

2018/02/power-pets

Horton, J. (n.d). How Stuff Works. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.

com/life/pets-happiness1.htm

Feldman, S. (2016). ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA.

Retrieved from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-

posts/consumer/alleviating-anxiety-stress-and-depression-pet

Stevens, S. (2018). mnn. Retrieved from https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/11-

studies-that-prove-pets-are-good-your-health
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Giorgi, A. (2012). Cirt. Retrieved from https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/development

resources/research_ready/phenomenology/phen_overview