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Can Pets Improve our Health?

Are Pets Good for Our Mental and Physical Health?

A survey by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute found that 74% of pet owners felt that having a pet improved their mental health. Many studies show an internal release of chemical reactions, which not only slows our heart rate but also lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system and lowers stress levels within our bodies, when we come into contact with our pets and this research evidence does show that having a pet does improve our mental health.

With the challenges of the modern world, an increasing number of people experience mental health problems. It is estimated that 50% of people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. The level of anxiety and mental health problems are also increasing in children.

Whilst other methods work, such medication, counselling, relaxation therapy and so on, having a pet can be a good way to improve a person’s mental health.

Why is this the case?

  • Pets offer unconditional love. They love you no matter what they do.
  • They offer companionship when a person feels isolated. Isolation is heavily linked to mental health problems. A person may feel isolated and alone, which reduces their mental health. Having a pet in the house can help the person to feel they are not alone.
  • Poor social support and lack of friendships is also linked to poorer mental health. Exercise is also thought to increase endorphins in our brains, which help us to feel better and happier. Taking a dog a walk gives us the double whammy. It gives us exercise, so we feel physically and mentally happier. It also helps us to meet other people. Many dog owners will know that other dog owners are friendly and would like a chat, so talking to others can help improve our mood.
  • As well as walking a dog, dogs and other pets, such as cats, like to play. Having fun playing with an animal, throwing a ball, shining a light for a cat to chase and so on can make a person feel happy. In some cases, children with autism have found to be calmer when near to children, particularly dogs and horses.
  • They offer comfort. Stroking a dog is calming to a human. Research in 2010 by the dog food makers, Winalot, found that 55% of dog owners felt more relaxed after time with their dogs. 44% felt more optimistic and 44% were less worried about their day to day problems, such as job security and financial problems.
  • Sharing your problems. The Winalot research also found that 1 in 6 women share their deep personal problems with their dog alone. One in 4 people said their dog was their best friend.
  • Pets can also help us with the practical side of life. Sometimes when a person is depressed, they can find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. They may have a low mood and no energy. Knowing that their pet needs to be fed, walked or cared for can give the person a sense of routine and purpose.
  • People with Alzheimer’s Disease are found to have fewer anxiety outbursts when they have a pet.

It is not just dogs that can improve our mental health. Research by the Mental Health Foundation and Cats Protection in 2011 found that ½ of the cat owners they studied said they had a mental health problem. 87% of them said having a cat made a positive impact on their lives. 76% said they could cope better with everyday life due to having a cat. Half said the cat’s presence was helpful, whilst a third said that stroking a cat was calming.  
para As well as improving our mental health, pets can also help us live longer. Research on 3.4 million Swedes aged between 40 and 80 found a link between cardiovascular health and dog ownership. They found dog owners had a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease in this 12 year study.

So, dogs and other pets can be good for our mental and physical health.

They provide people with a reason to get up, and they provide the person with comfort and love when they require it most. How does this really work in scientific terms? Research suggests that when a person strokes their pet this doubles the levels of oxytocin within the blood. Further research suggests that stroking a pet also releases beta endorphins and dopamine. So all in effect, pets can have very positive benefits for our mental health. This works simultaneously as it is believed that pets have the same oxytocin release when we are stroking them.

Many charitable organisations use pets as therapeutic treatments for their patients, and with this type of research and evidence in place, there is a further push to use pets as therapy.

Using Pets as Therapy

Many pets can make good therapy animals, however they do require the correct temperament. Animals which are overly excitable, flighty, nervous or boisterous cannot not be used. This could not only cause the patient to become fearful resulting in increased anxieties, but will also cause higher stress levels in the pet.

Particularly good behavioural traits in a pet include:

  • Calmness.
  • Willingness to be stroked.
  • Pets who adore attention.
  • Trained well in basic manners.
  • Gentleness.
  • Can handle gentle tugging or being hugged.
  • Socialised and habituated to people, sounds and different situations.
  • Will not react to fast, erratic movements, or shouting and loud communications.
  • Focussed.

Many owners volunteer their pets to be used as therapy animals and this requires many vigorous tests before the animal is introduced to patients.

This is a great way to enhance the lives of people and help improve their mental health. Not only can the correct animals be used in this manner, but actually owning a pet and gaining a connection, and bond, with the animal will help improve emotions in everyday life. Our pets learn to understand us, like we learn to understand them. They begin to pick up when we are feeling down and are quickly there to comfort us and bring our emotions up again.

Learn more about mental health - ACS offer a wide selection of Psychology and Counselling courses. Train to advance your career, for professional development, or for personal interest. Links to some of our Psychology and Counselling courses are shown at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about studying with ACS - get in touch with our specialist Psychology and Counselling tutors today. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and will be happy to help you.

[26/04/2024 18:57:49]

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