Harmony Rhoades|Hailey Winetrobe|Eric Rice
Pet Ownership Among Homeless Youth: Associations with Mental Health, Service Utilization and Housing Status
University of Southern California|University of Southern California|University of Southern California
many 25 homeless persons pets knowledge pet ownership studied quantitatively homeless youth study examined pet ownership among 398 homeless youth utilizing two los angeles dropin centers twentythree percent homeless youth pet majority pet owners reported pets kept company made feel loved nearly half reported pets made difficult stay shelter pet owners reported fewer symptoms depression loneliness nonpet owning peers pet ownership associated decreased utilization housing jobfinding services decreased likelihood currently staying shelter findings elucidate many positive benefits pet ownership homeless youth importantly highlight pet ownership may negatively impact housing options housing services must sensitive needs homeless youth pets