Pets Information

Animals are wonderful and inspirational souls. Uniting with a pet can greatly impact and enrich our lives, improving health, staving off loneliness, promoting emotional wellbeing, providing service, and even saving lives. A pet is a constant companion, and at times, the most important entity in someoneâ€™s life.

The bond between animals and people can be terribly strong, and most pets become cherished members of the family. An animalâ€™s affection is unconditional and nonjudgmental. Their devotion is without bounds.

Medical professionals have long observed the many health benefits of pet ownership, in terms of physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. For instance, pet owners have lower blood pressure as well as lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than those without a pet. The simple act of petting an animal will cause a drop in blood pressure, and interestingly, animals respond similarly by also experiencing a drop in blood pressure while being petted.A pet owner is three percent less likely to die from a heart attack â€“ and this accounts for about 30,000 lives being saved each year. A study found that individuals with heart problems were four times more likely to still be alive one year after being released from the hospital, than those who did not have a pet.

Pet owners enjoy better physical health from exercising with their pets and also have fewer minor health problems. Senior citizens who own dogs require 21 percent fewer visits to the doctorâ€™s office. Dr. William Thomas, author of The Eden Alternative, created a different type of nursing home environment with plants, animals, and children. He found that after 18 months, the facility had 15 percent less deaths and a dramatic reduction in medication use, particularly in drugs that alter mood or tranquilize.

People with animals exhibit better psychological wellbeing. Pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, depression, and stress. This is especially true for individuals with chronic illness as well as residents of long-term care facilities. Seniors with pets are better able to sustain their level of daily activity and to cope with stressful life events. In combination with other therapy, animals brought into nursing homes promote social and verbal interaction.

Dogs in particular offer some added benefits for their human companions. For instance, dog owners may experience less fear when with their dog out walking or at home. Dogs provide extra defense against everyday stress and are very helpful for children learning to adjust to difficult life-changing situations, such as the illness and death of a parent. The same is true for adults who have lost a spouse.

Animals have a wonderful affect on children and most families report an increase in happiness and fun after getting a pet. Cognitive development, positive self-esteem, nurturing behavior, empathy toward others, and pro-social behavior, are all enhanced in children who have a pet. Young people with pets are also more involved with activities such as sports and clubs.
For individuals with a disabling illness or condition, service animals can be of dramatic benefit. A randomized, controlled trial found that within six months of receiving a service dog, people with severe physical impairment developed better self-esteem, improved psychological wellbeing, and became more involved in the community. Additionally, study participants required 70 percent less hours of help at home after receiving a service dog. This fact alone should give insurance companies a strong incentive to fund service animals for their clients.