How Pets Are Shaping Public Health Equity: Insights from APHA 2025

rom tackling loneliness in older adults to transforming housing policy for youth experiencing homelessness, this year’s American Public Health Association (APHA) conference revealed something powerful: the health of people and pets are deeply connected. Across studies and cities—from Philadelphia to Denver to global One Health initiatives—researchers are reimagining what public health looks like when we include our animal companions in the picture.

Pets, Equity, and Access: Building Inclusive Communities

In Philadelphia, a community-based study exposed how racial and economic inequities ripple through the pet care ecosystem. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) residents reported discrimination from veterinarians and housing providers, and highlighted the need for pet-inclusive policies. Their top priorities? Access to affordable veterinary care, pet food, and safe green spaces.

The takeaway: public health efforts that ignore pet ownership risk deepening inequities. Pet care is health care—for both people and animals.

Homelessness and the Human–Animal Bond

In Denver, young people experiencing housing instability shared how their pets are not just companions—they’re lifelines. Many youth delay seeking help because shelters exclude animals. A participatory research project identified clear policy solutions: making emergency shelters pet-friendly, expanding veterinary services for unhoused populations, and creating affordable, pet-inclusive rental housing.

This human-centered, One Health approach reframes pets as part of a person’s social support network—critical for resilience and recovery.

Mental Health and the Healing Power of Pets

A multinational study spanning 11 countries took a relational approach to mental wellbeing. It found that pet ownership helps people manage daily stress and build self-care routines—walking a dog or feeding a cat became forms of mindfulness and emotional grounding. This “mutual wellness” shows how caring for animals can reinforce our own mental health practices.

Meanwhile, adolescent-focused studies highlighted how dogs may support teenagers struggling with social anxiety. Youth who reported strong emotional bonds with their dogs also demonstrated more adaptive coping and higher overall thriving. Even physiological monitoring hinted at calmer stress responses when teens interacted with their pets.

Older Adults, Loneliness, and Companionship

Loneliness affects nearly 7 in 10 residents in some senior housing communities. A new study is measuring how pets might combat that isolation. Early findings suggest that older adults with pets experience a stronger sense of community and higher quality of life. The implications are enormous: integrating pet-friendly policies into senior living could become a public health intervention for healthy aging.

Service Dogs, Disability, and Health Disparities

Data from the Dog Aging Project shed new light on the health of service dogs—and the people they assist. Service dogs are more physically active but face higher odds of being on grain-free diets, which may pose nutritional risks. For people with disabilities, these findings highlight the need for joint health and nutrition guidance that supports both handler and animal.

Veterans, PTSD, and the Cost of Lost Support

The Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program (WWSDP) once helped veterans—especially those from Latino and low-income backgrounds—recover from trauma and reintegrate into civilian life. Its sudden termination in 2025 disrupted vital services. New research urges the reinstatement of federally funded, culturally competent service dog programs to fill the gap in equitable mental health care for veterans.

Pets, Zoonotic Disease, and Climate Change

As the climate warms, diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are spreading northward. Pets can increase household tick exposure, yet millions of owners lack access to preventive veterinary care. Researchers urged health providers to adopt a One Health mindset—asking about pets during patient visits and promoting joint prevention strategies to reduce zoonotic risks.

The Emerging Consensus: One Health, Many Solutions

Across all these studies, one theme stands out: the One Health model—linking human, animal, and environmental wellbeing—isn’t abstract theory anymore. It’s the new frontier of public health practice. Whether improving housing policy, supporting veterans, or addressing loneliness, pets are emerging as powerful partners in advancing health equity.

The future of public health may just have four paws.