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. 2025 Jan-Dec:16:21501319251369270.
doi: 10.1177/21501319251369270. Epub 2025 Sep 9.

Utilizing the Human Animal Bond to Promote Preventive Care Engagement in Underserved Communities: A Descriptive Study of 2 U.S. One Health Clinics

Kimberly Aguirre Siliezar  1 , Sonny Patel  2 , Reema Chande  3 , Alaina Joiner  2 , MacKenzie C Hoover  2 , Mary W Mathis  3 , Janet Hendrickson  4 , Julio Siliezar  5 , Kristin Jankowski  6
Affiliations

Utilizing the Human Animal Bond to Promote Preventive Care Engagement in Underserved Communities: A Descriptive Study of 2 U.S. One Health Clinics

Kimberly Aguirre Siliezar et al. J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction/objectives: The purpose of this descriptive study was to strengthen understanding of the human-animal bond and the impact of One Health Clinics (OHCs) on the communities they serve. We aimed to assess how joint access to veterinary care and human health services enables community members to engage with healthcare for themselves.

Methods: Individuals attending 2 OHCs in the United States were surveyed to gain insight into reasons for attending OHCs, attitudes on the human-animal bond, healthcare access and utilization, and pet owner satisfaction and trust toward medical and veterinary professionals. Both clinics operated in areas with limited medical and veterinary healthcare access, but varied in clinic structure and availability of human healthcare volunteers.

Results: A total of 175 surveys were analyzed. Most participants attended primarily for veterinary services (Clinic A: 91%, Clinic B: 75%). However, a significantly higher proportion of Clinic B participants received health screenings (91% vs 32%, P < .0001), learned new health information (48% vs 31%, P = .0129), and were provided with follow-up health resources (84% vs 51%, P = .000007). Across both sites, the majority expressed high trust in medical and veterinary providers (Clinic A: 84%-95%, Clinic B: 90%-98%) and reported high satisfaction with the care received. Most participants considered their pets vital family members (Clinic A: 81%, Clinic B: 93%), and many credited their pets with supporting physical activity and reducing feelings of depression and loneliness. Importantly, a majority of respondents at both clinics indicated they were more likely to seek healthcare for themselves if veterinary services were also available (Clinic A: 56%, Clinic B: 72%).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that OHCs have the potential to enhance access to human healthcare in underserved communities by utilizing veterinary services as a point of engagement. Participants reported a strong bond with their pet. Based on reported levels of trust and satisfaction, the OHC model may help strengthen relationships between underserved communities and human healthcare and veterinary professionals.

Keywords: One Health Clinic; access to care; healthcare model; human-animal bond; underserved communities.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors wish to disclose that Kimberly Aguirre Siliezar and Julio Siliezar are married. The authors affirm that this personal relationship has not influenced the scientific content, analysis, or conclusions of this study. All efforts were made to maintain objectivity and adhere to standard scientific practices throughout the research process.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Reasons for attending 2 One Health clinics from 175 individuals between August 2023 and November 2024.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Interest in attending clinics with integrated human and pet health services from 175 individuals between August 2023 and November 2024.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Interest in attending clinics with integrated human and pet health services from 175 individuals between August 2023 and November 2024.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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