‘Kookaburras, kangaroos and my frilly-necked lizard’ : The value of wildlife, nature and companion animals for older community-dwelling Australians

Journal article

Dendle, Kelli, Miller, Evonne, Buys, Laurie and Vine, Desley. (2022). ‘Kookaburras, kangaroos and my frilly-necked lizard’ : The value of wildlife, nature and companion animals for older community-dwelling Australians. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 41(2), pp. 335-339. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.13070
AuthorsDendle, Kelli, Miller, Evonne, Buys, Laurie and Vine, Desley
Abstract

Objective
With little research investigating older Australians' experience of companion animal (pet) ownership or wildlife encounters, this paper focuses on the value of animals in their lives.

Methods
Three online focus groups explored 103 older adults' lived experience of home and community, with this paper focused on interactions with animals—companion animals and wildlife.

Results
Most (60%) had at least one pet, which brought love and joy into their lives. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three themes: pets as family; challenges of pet ownership; and connection to everyday wildlife and nature.

Conclusions
In addition to valuing companion animals (typically cats and dogs), this research is among the first to show that some older people also develop ongoing relationships with local Australian wildlife, such as kookaburras, kangaroos, lizards and birds, which raises the possibility that fostering connections with wildlife may enhance well-being.

Keywordsaging; Animals; Australia; companion animals; nature
Year2022
JournalAustralasian Journal on Ageing
Journal citation41 (2), pp. 335-339
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
ISSN1440-6381
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.13070
PubMed ID35357755
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85127445314
PubMed Central IDPMC9311417
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range335-339
FunderAveo
Ballycara
Bolton Clarke
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online31 Mar 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted07 Mar 2022
Deposited10 Oct 2023
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