Abstract

Background:
The One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health, yet its relationship to the emotional bond between elderly pet guardians and veterinary professionals remains underexplored. Understanding this dynamic is essential for promoting both animal welfare and owners’ well-being.

Aim:
To evaluate the emotional bond between elderly pet guardians and animal health professionals within the One Health framework.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to February 2024 at the Veterinary Hospital (HVU) of UFRPE. Participants included 66 elderly pet owners (>60 years) seeking veterinary care and all hospital professionals. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed descriptively.

Results:
Most guardians were women (62.1%), aged 60–69 years (77.7%), and 89.3% owned dogs. Additionally, 60.6% had pets for over five years, and 77.3% were first-time owners. A strong emotional bond was observed, with 92.4% reporting improved mental health due to pet companionship. Despite this, 65.5% were unaware of the One Health concept, though all expressed interest in learning more. Among professionals, 100% recognized the guardians’ emotional dependence on pets, and 53.1% considered this bond beneficial.

Conclusion:
Elderly pet guardians demonstrate a strong emotional connection with their animals, positively impacting mental health. However, knowledge of One Health is limited, underscoring the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance awareness and support holistic well-being in this population.

Key words: Companion animals; Elderly health; Health education; One Health.