Research finds that the relationship is mutually beneficial.

A study has found that the relationship between homeless people and their dogs is mutually beneficial, highlighting the importance of support to homeless people with dogs.

The research, supported by Dogs Trust Hope Project and The Big Issue (Bristol and Bath), found that while dogs were providing critical support to their owners’ emotional and mental wellbeing, their owners were making every effort to protect and care for the dogs’ welfare needs.

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 homeless dog-owners from the South West, which were recruited by a dog welfare charity that works with homeless people and their dogs.

The research investigated how their dog impacted them, how they met their dog’s welfare needs and how homeless living affected the owner and their dog.

The studies found similar benefits to their dog ownership as with dogs owned in households. They also found that owners believed dogs helped them maintain a routine, assisted with mental health issues and provided emotional support.

However, homeless dog-owners found it difficult to access long- and short-term accommodation and services due to their dog. The owners generally only entrusted other individuals to care for their dog in urgent cases.

Researchers found that, thanks to charities such as Dogs Trust, the dogs were treated against parasites, fed adequately and were receiving veterinary care as needed. Owners were mainly concerned about finding somewhere warm and large enough for their dog to sleep, but researchers suggest access to a safe place without frightening stimuli might also be important.

During interviews, many owners used their dogs to facilitate a discussion about their lives.

Researchers are hoping that the study will guide homeless charities with helping dog-owners, including informing homeless people with dogs of the support available.

Dr Nicola Rooney, senior lecturer in wildlife and conservation at Bristol Veterinary School and one of the paper's authors, said: "Dogs can play an incredibly important role in enhancing mental health, and this study shows this is equally true for the homeless community. Homeless dogs compared favourably to home owned dogs in many areas when considering how their welfare needs were met.

“The dogs we studied had high levels of human companionship and access to veterinary care and flea and worm prevention.”

Dr Chelsie Bailey, one of the study's authors and an honorary teaching associate at Bristol Veterinary School, said: "One issue highlighted in this study was the variation in what some shelters and day centres classed as 'dog friendly'. For example, we found some shelters and day centres provided food but didn’t allow dogs into the premises which meant the owners were less likely to access proper support.

“Places that would allow owners to keep their pets with them at all times could help owners seek further support and access support properly."

The full study is published in the Zoophilologica Polish Journal of Animal Studies.

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