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In addition to medical benefits, assisting with daily activities and working with us, animals can help us emotionally, psychologically, and socially. They help us:
Adjust to serious illness and death Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family. Grieving adults who did not have a close source of human support were also found to have less depression if they had a pet. Be less anxious and feel more safe Pet owners tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or having a dog in the home.
Relax and reduce everyday stress Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries. We do not even need physical contact to appreciate this. Watching fish in an aquarium, or the activity of birds can be very soothing. Of course many of us with dogs and cats find ourselves absent-mindedly petting them, which is relaxing for both us and the pet. Have physical contact This ability to have something to touch and pet is very important. More and more studies show how important touch is to our physical and emotional health. Lift our mood
Residents of nursing homes are more apt to smile, talk, reach out to people and objects, be attentive and alert, and experience a greater sense of well-being and less depression if animals are present in the facility. Feel less lonely Pets can help ease the sense of loneliness or isolation we feel. Have something to care for Everyone needs to feel needed and have something to care for. Many elderly citizens or people living alone will tell you their pet gives them a reason for living.
Keep active Having a pet can help us remain more active. We may not only get more exercise from walking a dog, but we also increase our activity through feeding, grooming, and otherwise caring for our pet. Have consistency Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day. People may come and go, but our pets are pretty much with us day in and day out. Have more and better social interactions
A study in a Veteran's Hospital showed that the residents had more verbal interactions with each other when a dog was present in the room than when there was no dog present. Dogs were also shown to increase socialization among persons with Alzheimer's disease in a Special Care Unit of a nursing home. Residents in long-term care facilities were more likely to attend activity sessions when an animal was going to be present. Summary Pets can greatly influence how we feel about ourselves and life in general. They are teachers and healers of extraordinary talent. |
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| References and Further Reading | ||
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Allen, KM; Blascovich, J; Tomaka, J; Kelsey, RM. Presence of human friends and pet dogs as moderators of autonomic responses to stress in women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1991; Oct:61(4):582-589. Anderson, WP; Reid, CM; Jennings, GL. Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal Australia. 1992; 157:298-301. Barker, SB; Dawson, KS. The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Psychiatric Services. 1998; 49(6):797-801. Beck, A; Katcher, A. Between Pets and People. Purdue University Press. West Lafayette, IN; 1996. Fick, KM. The influence of an animal on social interactions of nursing home residents in group settings. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1993; Jun: 47(6):529-534. Friedmann, E; Son, H. The human-companion animal bond: How humans benefit. In Trevejo, RT (ed) Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice: Veterinary Public Health 2009 March;39(5):291-326. Havener, L; Gentes, L; Thaler, B; et al. The effects of a companion animal on distress in children undergoing dental procedures. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing 2001;24:137-152. Knight, S; Edwards, V. In the company of wolves: The physical, social, and psychological benefits of dog ownership. Journal of Aging and Health 2008 June;20(4):437-455. Kongable, LG; Buckwalter, KC; Stolley, JM. The effects of pet therapy on the social behavior of institutionalized Alzheimer's clients. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 1989; Aug: 3(4):191-198. Lamb, L; Dziegielewski, S; Leon, A. Pet-human bonding: Results of a survey on health and well-being. The Social Work Student. 1998; 1: at http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/health/socwork/swonweb/journal/issue1/pethum.htm. McElroy, SC. Animals as Teachers and Healers. Balantine Books. New York, NY; 1997. Nagengast, SL; Baun, MM; Megel, M; Leibowitz, JM. The effects of the presence of a companion animal on physiological arousal and behavioral distress in children during a physical examination. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 1997; Dec:12(6):323-330. Raina, P; Waltner-Toews, D; Bonnett, B; Woodward, D; Abernathy, T. Influence of companion animals on the physical and psychological health of older people; an analysis of a one-year longitudinal study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 1999; Mar: 47(3):323-329. Serpell, J. In the Company of Animals. Basil Blackwell Inc. New York, NY; 1986. |
Pets decrease our feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing companionship to all generations. Certainly for residents of nursing homes this is true, but it is also true for the staff and volunteers there as well.
Families surveyed before and after they acquired a pet reported feeling happier after adding a pet to the family.
