Development of a mental wellness program for animals.

Commentary I f one were to ask pet owners what kind of life they wanted for their pets, the answer invariably would be a happy and healthy one. 1 With today' s increasingly sophisticated clinical services and the proliferation of veterinary specialists, we have effectively addressed the " healthy " aspect of pet owners' desires. But veterinary medicine has not addressed the " happy " aspect. 2 This is unfortunate, in that when people were given a choice between the 2 for themselves, they rated happiness as more desirable. 3 With happiness, as the term is used in humans, 3 there is a sense that things are right with the world. This is the goal of a caring pet owner for their pet, and it is reasonable to assume it to be a desire of pets for themselves. However, to be more precise, when we speak of animal happiness it is mental health and well-being to which were are referring. Mental health in animals has received scant attention except when it contributes to behavior problems. But, mental health and well-being encompass much more than behavior problems, including positive experiences , emotional fulfillment, happiness, and life satisfaction. A program designed to promote mental health and well-being is not restricted to animals with undesirable behavior; rather, such a program would be of benefit to all animals, well-behaved or not. Wellness care for mental health has equal if not more importance and value as such care for physical health. In this article, mental wellness care refers to a proactive program to promote, maintain, and maximize the mental health and well-being of animals. Such a program has the potential to vastly enrich the life experience of animals and provide them with the opportunity for maximal enjoyment of life. Defining Mental Health and Mental Well-being Specific definitions of mental health used for humans may be adapted for use in animals. For instance, mental health may be defined as a condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by an absence of mental disorders and by adequate adjustment, especially as reflected in feeling comfortable and able to meet the demands of life. 4 Mental well-being is related to, but differs from, mental health. Many descriptions of mental well-being have been proposed, and there is no consensus on its meaning. However, the central element in most descriptions of mental well-being is emotional pleasantness , or …