I opened the office door greeted by two friendly faces so excited to see me! Both are medium-sized, brown-colored fur with tails that wag back and forth at a rapid pace. Stella and Henry make me grin from ear to ear. And immediately, I know it’s going to be a great day.
As they run up to me, it is as if I was their best friend returning from a long journey. They welcome me with all of the enthusiasm that they can possibly muster up.
That simple greeting by Stella and Henry has warmed my heart and lightened my spirits. The emotional benefits are well-known with studies and surveys supporting the impact of having either furry or feathery companions to support our health and wellness. Indeed, as far back as indigenous traditions have consistently indicated that humans and animals are all connected and therefore, both are reliant upon one another here on Planet Earth.
Supporting Our Wellness at Every Age | Pet Companions
Last year, an August 6, 2017 Time Health article highlighted a Harris poll indicating that 95% of owners think of their animal as a member of the family. Half of the families buy their pets birthday presents, and vice versa. The same article showed how pets impact our physical health by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and heart-disease. Obviously, loving and caring for our pets has a positive outcome on us too!
The article focused on several studies showing how various pets benefited humans. The benefits are so impressive that the term being used in healthcare is “animal-assisted therapies.” In one study, animals helped children who had challenging disorders by helping the child feel calm and reduce the child’s fear and anxiety. Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University states,”Now, I don’t know of any major children’s hospital that doesn’t have at least some kind of animal program.”
It’s not only children that pets are having a positive impact. In a May 2010 study by Gal Sorekt and Joseph Terkel, stress-ridden adults who pet a rabbit or turtle had reduced symptoms of anxiety. And the adults were not necessarily animal-lovers. It was successful regardless of their love for animals.
And yet another study found that elderly individuals suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease faired better when able to watch fish in an aquarium. The aquarium was placed in the middle of their dining room. The study found that the attention of the elderly was placed on the fish. As a result, their eating habits improved. The study also indicated that the individuals were less lethargic and their pacing habits decreased.
Other studies have shown positive results with horses, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and even crickets. The findings have spurred healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, assisted living facilities and even schools to include animal-assisted therapy to help with the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of humans!
Pets at Home Too | Pet Companions
Pets have also been found to help with those who live alone or feel isolated. The pet and person have a mutual task – both need the attention and support of the other. In a 2011 Psychology Today article, pet owners were found to have significant benefits. The benefits included: greater self-esteem, being more physically-fit, less lonely, more conscientious, more socially outgoing and had healthier relationships. The research indicated that pets did not necessarily increase the pet owner’s personal relationship with others but rather that the pet was included in the owner’s beneficial relationships.
Pets seem to raise the awareness of those around them. One dog owner I know has a dog that’s particularly skittish when he hears arguing. Even the slightest raising of voices and he dashes off to his crate. Of course, this is a signal to everyone in the household when tempers flare. It’s an immediate relationship course correction because his anxiety triggers everyone to stop and take stock of whether the argument is important enough to continue.
If you are not yet a pet owner, I am betting that the research is pretty convincing but other considerations should you explore?
What Do You Need to Know? | Pet Companions
If you are considering a pet for your home environment, the choices are endless. The PDSA, a U.K.-based organization, has a quick quiz to help determine a pet that is likely best suited for your particular scenario. The quiz encourages you to consider P-E-T-S! In this case, PETS stands for place, exercise, time and spend. The first is place. Where would the pet be living? Then there is exercise. What type of environment would be available for the pet to be able to exercise. The next item is time. How much time will the person have to be with their pet. And a final consideration is how much money does the person have to expend on the pet. At the completion of the quiz, the person receives a list of potential pets best suited for their living and lifestyle.
Of course, it is also important to note that owning a pet comes with significant responsibility. One friend states that it is like having another child. So be sure to consider the implications to you for owning and being responsible for a living creature in your home.
Once you have determined the best pet for you, know that the all of the wellness benefits will soon follow but most importantly, you will get that heart-warming feeling the moment you open the door and see your beloved pet waiting to see you!
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Pet companions benefit our lives in large and small ways worth acknowledging. How are you making the most of your time with your furry or feathery (or fishy!) pet companions? How can you take greater advantage of the love and shared moments with them? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!