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importance of establishing and ensuring animal welfare standards. There is little evidence to indicate that such facilities have routines or policies to address pet welfare concerns. The situation can be equally troubling for older pet owners who continue to live independently. Older adults are likely to have multiple medical comorbidities that could result in physical and functional disability that may limit their ability to interact with and care for their pets (Anderson et al., 2015). Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure may result in physical activity intolerance, making it difficult to walk a dog. Osteoarthritis may impact mobility and other motor skills needed to care for a pet (lifting, carrying, and opening food). Visual deficits caused by macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye diseases may limit an older adult’s ability to walk a dog or even drive a pet to veterinary appointments. Lastly, older adults with dementia who are living independently may lack the planning, organizational, and memory skills to safely care for a pet. These challenging circumstances are compounded when older adults’ pets themselves age and require more medical attention and care. As Enders-Slegers and Hediger (2019) point out, owners’ physical limitations can compromise their ability to carry pets who can no longer navigate stairs. Additionally, older pet owners are often faced with financial difficulties that can make pet-related expenses, particularly unexpected veterinary care, problematic. Less attention has been paid to the needs of animals directly involved in HAI research or in animal-assisted interventions. The respect for animals that drives this research should mandate that care protocols be developed and universally implemented for both research and interventions. Although all US university-based and federally funded research is subject to review by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and similar requirements are in place in most other countries, standards are typically designed for laboratory animals and may not be appropriate for the animals involved in HAI research. Handlers must be trained not simply to respond to their animals’ needs for food, water, and opportunities for elimination, but also to recognize signs of stress that may not be obvious. Taking this to the next step, research using wearable technology that monitors dogs’ vital signs (Brugarolos et al., 2014) could advance our understanding of the indicators of dog stress in specific situations. Above all, interactions or data collection should not proceed at the expense of the wellbeing of the animal involved. The benefits of HAI should accrue to both parties. Future Directions for Research on Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population 288 Anthrozoös Making the Transition—Practical Recommendations Supporting Pet Care Responsibilities in the Context of Disability Fears and challenges of pet ownership for older adults need to be recognized and addressed, as proactive planning can help to prevent emergent situations for both older adults and their animal companions. Health care providers can incorporate a question about pet ownership as part of a patient’s personal history. For older adults who are considering adopting or purchasing a pet, there are standardized assessments, such as the Dog Care Responsibility Inventory (Davis, 1987) and the Pet Expectations Inventory (Kidd, Kidd, & George, 1992) that can be used to explore expectations of pet ownership and readiness of the older adult to provide needed care for the pet. Additionally, for new pet owners, it is also helpful to match the pet type and temperament to the physical, emotional, and cognitive capability of the older adult. For example, an older woman who has osteoporosis, a history of a past hip fracture, and a fear of falls may want to avoid choosing an energetic puppy or young adult dog that may require a significant amount of exercise and may pull on a leash during walks outside. Instead, an older, well-trained dog or a cat may be a better option. Older pet owners should also consider enlisting family and friends who may be able to provide practical support when needed to compensate for disability, by for example delivering large bags of pet food or litter material to the older adult who is unable to lift heavy items, or providing a ride to the veterinary office for an older pet owner who in unable to drive. For older pet owners who do not have a local friend or family member available to assist, there are pet food and supply delivery programs, such as “We All Love Our Pets” program (WALOP). WALOP is an initiative paired with and supported by Meals on Wheels to provide delivery of pet food, as well as grooming and boarding, to homebound older adults in some communities. Addressing Financial Concerns A significant challenge for older pet owners is the financial expense of caring for a pet, particularly as many older adults live on a fixed budget. Pet deposit fees are typically charged to tenants of rental housing and are a significant financial barrier for low income older adults who otherwise may be willing to adopt or foster a shelter animal (Anderson et al., 2015). US housing regulations require that pets be permitted in public or publicly subsidized housing if the owner is capable of caring for the pet. Unfortunately, not all older adults have access
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