Abstract
This autoethnography, crossing the boundaries between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, describes how the furry friends of one single person affected his wellness and mental health. Empirical studies during COVID-19 showed that pets enhanced their humans’ wellness and psychological health. However, human-animal interaction is highly complex because of significant variability in humans and animals and their interaction. Therefore, the literature suggests using qualitative methods to grasp subtle nuances in the human-animal interaction, and the present study is in line with this recommendation. I aimed to discover why the subsistence with cats and dogs makes me feel so good, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For about two weeks, I browsed in my memory through an almost endless list of animal-related events that occurred between early 2020 and early 2022. Some were merely recollections, others I had written down in chat messages or emails to friends and family. Then, I looked for both recurring and exceptional events affecting my wellness and mental health. The findings show that the animals, though sometimes draining energy and causing pain, were crucial in stress relief and the prevention of depression through four beneficial aspects: a) Nurturing pets gave significance and meaning; b) Pets enhanced social contact; c) Pets were a source for collaborative physical activity, play, and fun; d) Pets provided an opportunity for intimacy and touch. The paper elaborates on these aspects in the context of COVID-19 and their implications.
Presenters
Daniel J.N. WeishutSenior Lecturer, Social Work and Behavioral Sciences, Hadassah Academic College, Israel
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Physiology, Kinesiology and Psychology of Wellness in its Social Context
KEYWORDS
Pets, COVID-19, Wellness, Mental Health, Human-Animal Relationship
