Demographic data related to companion animals (n=610) assisted in the ophthalmology veterinary clinic in Havana during 2012 and of their caretakers (n=529) is described. Retrospective data were obtained from clinical records. The dogs were the most frequent species (68%), followed by cats (22%), hamster (5%) and turtles (4%). Dogs were mainly female (62%), between 1 to 5 years old (35%), and the most representative breeds were undefined crossbreds (37%), Pekingese (27%) and Cocker Spaniel (11%). The caretakers were mostly women (68%) between 31 to 50 years old (55%), with high school level of education (90%), workers (68%), living with other family members (92%) and the house was usually in districts close to the clinic. The main reason for keeping pets, especially dogs and cats was affection (85 and 60% respectively).

The study aimed to determine the perception of three groups of people in Havana, Cuba [breeders of ornamental birds (CAO), veterinary medicine students (E), and pet owners (RAC)] through a survey on pet ownership in relation to personal satisfaction and health. Results showed that 99% of the persons were satisfied of sharing their lives with companion animals. They also pointed out high mental health benefits (84, 73, and 80% for CAO, E, and RAC respectively). In relation to metabolic control, 58 and 96% of the persons suffering any of these diseases indicated that were motivated to take better care. The results showed that the surveyed persons in the three population groups perceive that pet ownership brings them physical and mental health benefits.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of persons with fertility disorders regarding pet ownership and its relationship with personal satisfaction and benefits on psicoemotional health. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The results showed that 50 and 20% of the persons had dogs and cats as pets respectively. The 88% of persons were very satisfied living with pets. Also, 92% pointed out that their pets provided company and well-being, 87% indicated that felt free of tensions, and 85% mentioned that pets constituted a motive to take better care of themselves. It is concluded that the studied sector perceived personal satisfaction and better emotional health due to pet ownership.

The aim of this study was to become acquainted of the perception of persons with homoerotic sexual preference (HSP) (n=40) and of transsexuals (n=20) regarding pet ownership and its relationship with personal satisfaction and benefits on psicoemotional health. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The results showed that 83% of the persons with HSP and 85% of transsexuals were very satisfied with owning pets. Also, 98% SHO persons took more care of themselves and 93% of the transsexuals felt accompanied. In relation to the psicoemotional health 83% of HSP persons and 90% of transsexuals considered highly benefitial. It is concluded that the studied groups perceived personal satisfaction and better emotional health due to pet ownership.

The aim of this study was to explore the perception of senior people with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) (n=60) on having companion animals and the relationship with personal satisfaction, benefits on mental health and metabolic control, and to the motivation on practicing physical activities. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the evaluation of these aspects and for obtaining demographic data. The results showed that 82% of the persons indicated to be satisfied in sharing their life with companion animals, 88% perceived a high beneficial relationship for their mental health, and 97% indicated that having pets encouraged them to take better care of DM2. Moreover, most of the people doing walks with their dogs (15/60) admitted more eagerness for these walks (84%) and for exercise (68%).

The study was conducted to explore the perception of people of middle-age with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) regarding ownership of companion animals and their relationship with personal satisfaction, benefits on mental health and metabolic control, and to the motivation on practicing physical activities. The study was descriptive, crosssectional, with 85 people from 49 to 58 years of age who had DM2, and were residents of Havana, Cuba. A self-administered questionnaire for assessing these aspects and obtaining demographic data was constructed. The results showed that 82% of the people felt very satisfied to share their lives with companion animals, 84% perceived a very beneficial relationship for their mental health, and 98% admitted that they were motivated to take better care of DM2. Also, within the 43 people who have dogs, 65% felt motivated to perform physical activities with thei...

Demographic data related to companion animals (n=610) assisted in the ophthalmology veterinary clinic in Havana during 2012 and of their caretakers (n=529) is described. Retrospective data were obtained from clinical records. The dogs were the most frequent species (68%), followed by cats (22%), hamster (5%) and turtles (4%). Dogs were mainly female (62%), between 1 to 5 years old (35%), and the most representative breeds were undefined crossbreds (37%), Pekingese (27%) and Cocker Spaniel (11%). The caretakers were mostly women (68%) between 31 to 50 years old (55%), with high school level of education (90%), workers (68%), living with other family members (92%) and the house was usually in districts close to the clinic. The main reason for keeping pets, especially dogs and cats was affection (85 and 60% respectively).

The study aimed to determine the perception of three groups of people in Havana, Cuba [breeders of ornamental birds (CAO), veterinary medicine students (E), and pet owners (RAC)] through a survey on pet ownership in relation to personal satisfaction and health. Results showed that 99% of the persons were satisfied of sharing their lives with companion animals. They also pointed out high mental health benefits (84, 73, and 80% for CAO, E, and RAC respectively). In relation to metabolic control, 58 and 96% of the persons suffering any of these diseases indicated that were motivated to take better care. The results showed that the surveyed persons in the three population groups perceive that pet ownership brings them physical and mental health benefits.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of persons with fertility disorders regarding pet ownership and its relationship with personal satisfaction and benefits on psicoemotional health. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The results showed that 50 and 20% of the persons had dogs and cats as pets respectively. The 88% of persons were very satisfied living with pets. Also, 92% pointed out that their pets provided company and well-being, 87% indicated that felt free of tensions, and 85% mentioned that pets constituted a motive to take better care of themselves. It is concluded that the studied sector perceived personal satisfaction and better emotional health due to pet ownership.

The aim of this study was to become acquainted of the perception of persons with homoerotic sexual preference (HSP) (n=40) and of transsexuals (n=20) regarding pet ownership and its relationship with personal satisfaction and benefits on psicoemotional health. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The results showed that 83% of the persons with HSP and 85% of transsexuals were very satisfied with owning pets. Also, 98% SHO persons took more care of themselves and 93% of the transsexuals felt accompanied. In relation to the psicoemotional health 83% of HSP persons and 90% of transsexuals considered highly benefitial. It is concluded that the studied groups perceived personal satisfaction and better emotional health due to pet ownership.

Se realizó un estudio con el objetivo de explorar la percepción que tenían adultos mayores con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) (n=60) respecto a la tenencia de animales de compañía y su relación con la satisfacción personal, beneficios sobre la salud psicoemocional, el control metabólico y la motivación para la realización de actividades físicas. Se utilizó un cuestionario autoadministrado para la evaluación de estos aspectos y obtención de datos demográficos. El 82% de las personas admitió que se sentían muy satisfechas al compartir sus vidas con estos animales, el 88% percibía una relación muy beneficiosa para su salud psicoemocional y el 97% admitió que los motivaba a cuidarse más de la DM2. Asimismo, la mayoría de las personas que realizaban caminatas con sus perros (15/60) expresaron que los ayudaba a promover las caminatas (84%) y el ejercicio físico (68%)

Se efectuó un estudio con el objetivo de explorar la percepción de personas de la mediana edad con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 (DM2) respecto a la tenencia de animales de compañía y su relación con la satisfacción personal, beneficios sobre la salud psicoemocional, el control metabólico y la motivación para la realización de actividades físicas. El estudio fue de tipo transversal, descriptivo, con 85 personas de 40 a 59 años de edad con DM2 y residentes en La Habana, Cuba. Se confeccionó un cuestionario autoadministrado para la evaluación de estos aspectos y obtención de datos demográficos. El 82% de las personas admitió que se sentían muy satisfechas al compartir sus vidas con estos animales, el 84% percibió una relación muy beneficiosa para su salud psicoemocional y el 98% admitió que los motivaba a cuidarse más de la DM2. Asimismo, dentro de las 43 personas que tení...