Human Benefits of Owning a Pet
Pets Are WonderfulThroughout history and all over the world, animals have brought love, laughter and companionship to people whose lives they share. Today, many doctors, social workers, and other health care professional believe that companion animals are important in helping many people lead healthy, happy lives, especially elderly and very young people.
Here are some of the advantages of owning a dog, cat, bird or other pet:
COMPANIONSHIP:
Pets fill many loney hours for elderly people who live alone or feel isolated from friends and family. Round-the-clock companions, eager to give and receive love, pets satisfy the universal need to be needed.
ACCEPTANCE:
Loyal, devoted, and utterly forgiving, animals accept people as they are. No questions asked.
TOUCH:
Everyone needs to hug and be hugged. A cat curled in your lap or a dog's friendly muzzle thrust in your hand gives reassurance and satisfaction .
SOURCE OF ACTIVITY:
Animals are naturally playful and their antics are fun to watch. Having a pet that requires daily exercise gets both the young and older persons out in the fresh air and sunshine, too.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Feeding, grooming, and exercising a pet helps young and the elderly establish and/or maintain their healthy routine. A pet's dependence strengthens self-esteem and motivation to carry out daily tasks.
PEOPLE HEALTH BENEFITS BY HAVING A PET
A study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension
who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than
did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
- Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
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Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
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Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)
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