Pets & our Mental Health
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Pets & our Mental Health |
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 For nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain
health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost
our immunity. They can even help you get dates. Research has found that pets are
also therapeutic for people with mood and anxiety disorders and other
psychiatric disorders. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Pet-Facilitated Therapy (PFT) bring animals to individuals or groups in treatment facilities and long-term care facilities to allow the animals to provide healing benefits to patients of physical and mental illnesses. Whether they prefer cats, dogs, or have a house full of both, research shows that pet owners also enjoy increased quality of life, greater emotional well being and more improved health than those who live without pets. Some experts even claim pets help extend lives! One of the most remarkable benefits of owning a pet is its effect on our hearts, literally. Pets not only make us happy, studies also show that people who experienced a heart attack live longer when they have cats or dogs. Also, those who have pets had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations. Pet owners have a lower risk of dying from any cardiac disease, including heart failure. Doctors, social workers and nursing homes recommend companion animals for the elderly to have happy and healthy lives. Pets improve the lives of the seniors because they bring love and companionship. The elderly can also get a chance to feel needed, and in return, these animals offer them love and loyalty. We often hear people say they refuse to own dogs or cats because they are allergic to them. Some even say that they think these animals can be harmful to the kids because they are dirty. However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals, whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals, will have less risk of allergies and asthma, If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies, 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals, a sign of stronger immune system activation. Pet ownership provides many mental health benefits:
Responsible pet ownership means more than adoring your pet though. Pet ownership is a serious commitment that consists of vital duties. Bonding is not something you can do once and assume it's finished. The bond with your dog or cat is built during the first few weeks to months of ownership, but maintaining the bond is a lifelong process. Remember that while you are at work, out with friends, or running errands, your dog is usually just waiting for you to come home. Proper pet etiquette not only benefits you and your pet; it also benefits others. A well-behaved dog is less likely to upset people and pets in public places and will be more welcome at gatherings. If your pet's misbehavior results in any sort of accident, injury or similar incident, you must take full responsibility for that behavior. If you’re not currently a pet owner, there’s no better time than the present to bring home that cuddly little puppy, kitten or abandoned shelter animal. With so many good reasons for doing so, you could be living a happier, healthier, longer life soon |
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