Companion Animals and Vulnerable Youth: Promoting Engagement between Youth and Professional Service Providers

ABSTRACT

Vulnerable youth have fewer social ties as a result of inadequate housing and a lack of social support. It is well established that many of these youth tend to underutilize mental health, medical, and social services. Among marginalized and stigmatized populations, the affirming and nonjudgmental presence of companion animals appears to be important for developing collaborative relationships between youth and professional service providers. This paper reviews literature on the benefits of companion animals for assisting providers in their attempts to help youth find a stable living environment. Recommendations are made for providers considering incorporating therapy animals into their existing services.

KEYWORDS:

• Companion animals
• homelessness
• mental health
• vulnerable youth
• social support

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my appreciation to an anonymous reviewer, the editor, and Gayatri for their comments and suggestions in improving this paper. I would also like to thank my dog, Dally, for enriching my life and accompanying me in my journey into adulthood.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nandini Maharaj

Nandini Maharaj is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program at the University of British Columbia, Canada, with her home department in the Faculty of Medicine. Ms. Maharaj received an MA in Counselling Psychology (2013). Her research explores how coping strategies among cancer survivors may be enhanced through the human-companion animal relationship.