You have probably heard that having a pet may improve both your emotional and physical well-being, but did you know that there is a growing amount of scientific research to back this claim? It is the mission of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) to investigate the link between humans and animals.
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Pets Impact Our Mental Health
The findings of this scientific study are driving a number of trends, one of which is that pets are moving away from the label of “just nice to have” and instead are being acknowledged as an essential component of our total health, particularly our mental health.
More than one in five people who own pets in the United States have been referred to a pet by a medical professional or a therapist, and pets are becoming more and more accepted in the environments in which we live, work, and play. It’s a revolution in the pet industry, and with good cause.
How Pets Help Shape Our Mental and Physical Well-Being
There is a growing trend among medical professionals to advocate for more time spent with dogs, the incorporation of small pets into educational curricula, and even organizations such as Chewy are welcoming canine colleagues. How come the change? Based on the findings of the investigation, here are four compelling arguments.
Pets Reduce Feelings of Loneliness
There is no denying that the COVID-19 epidemic contributed to an increase in emotions of isolation and loneliness. But the reality is that loneliness was already a social epidemic before the pandemic, and it is still a social epidemic now. One in five people in the United States of America report that they do not have a meaningful connection or understanding with other people.
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A survey conducted by HABRI and Mars Petcare questioned pet owners all around the country what they do when they are feeling lonely. Eighty percent of respondents responded that they seek comfort from their dogs. Pets not only provide unconditional affection, but also a feeling of purpose in the form of the opportunity to care for another living thing.
Furthermore, more than half of the respondents (54%) said that their dogs assist them in connecting with other members of the community, which in turn assists in the development of a feeling of belonging.
Pets Foster Connection and Community
Pets serve as social catalysts for a lot of people who are passionate about animals. It’s not merely a case of anecdotory. The ownership of pets was shown to be associated with greater social links in communities, according to a research that was conducted across cities in both the United States and Australia.
Dog owners reported the highest levels of social engagement, as was to be anticipated; but, 27 percent of those who had other pets said that they had their neighbors introduced to them via their furry, feathered, or scaled friends. But how did this come about? People spoke about their dogs across fences, and these chats occasionally even inspired social events. This was particularly true when youngsters in the area were excited to meet a new sort of pet.
Pets Encourage Mindfulness and Focus
One way that any of us may become more attentive is by paying attention to the little details that surround us, and pets are an excellent example of this. Let’s use cats as an example. It is possible that the body language of a cat may first seem perplexing; nevertheless, if we pay great attention to them, we may learn to comprehend them better. For example, a thrashing tail is often a sign of dissatisfaction or rage.
The presence of dogs in the classroom was shown to considerably improve students’ social skills and academic reading proficiency, as well as reduce hyperactivity, according to the findings of one educational research. Meanwhile, parents said that their children exhibited more empathy and compassion while they were at home.
Pets Encourage Healthy Habits, Beyond Physical Exercise
Positive interactions with dogs cause the production of oxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin (a caring hormone) in humans, while stress hormones (cortisol) are reduced. According to researchers, the health advantages of pets extend well beyond just taking a dog for a walk every day. In addition, there is more excellent news: these beneficial chemical changes are also occurring in your cat!
Beyond the fact that it makes them feel warm and fuzzy around their dogs, what does this imply for pet parents? To begin, studies conducted at the University of Maryland have shown that dogs have the potential to enhance cardiovascular health by relieving stress and lowering blood pressure. People who had the company of a feline friend had a greater probability of recovering from a heart attack than those who did not have the companionship of a feline pet on their side.
In the meanwhile, another research investigated the influence that fishkeeping has on the development of diabetes in young people. This is because cats and dogs aren’t the only pets that contribute to our overall health. They came to the conclusion that children who care for fish are more likely to make a connection between their own self-care and the health of their pets. They discovered that feeding the fish acted as an effective reminder for children to check their blood sugar levels or take their medicine.
It was shown that people with Alzheimer’s disease had a similar outcome. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease who ate their meals in a room that included a fish tank consumed more food, were less likely to need supplementary nutrition, and even had less behavioral difficulties that are linked with sundown syndrome.
Pets Support Resilience and Recovery
People who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition that lasts for an extended period of time may benefit by having a pet over the course of time, according to research. Animal companions provided emotional and social support, assisting individuals in the development of a feeling of comfort, regularity, and stability during times of crisis.
It has been shown that veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from the intervention of psychiatric care dogs. The environmental awareness, emotional soothing, and intervention required during panic attacks or nightmares are all provided by these companions who have received specialized training.
According to a number of studies, veterans who are partnered with service dogs report greater employment rates, increased sleep quality, stronger family relationships, and a more seamless transition back into their communities.
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There is evidence that youngsters may benefit from the healing potential of dogs. Providers of mental health services are discovering that dogs are especially useful in assisting youngsters in opening up and discussing their emotions during therapy sessions.
Only two years ago, the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) came into being as a direct reaction to the significant increase in the demand for therapy animals. Professionals such as school counselors and psychologists are able to include dogs into their therapeutic practices because to the training and certification that is provided by this organization.
A Pet Revolution
It is more vital than ever before to make sure that our pets get all of the care that they need, since there is a growing body of data indicating that pets are required for our mental health. It is evident that the more we take care of our pets, the better they take care of us in return. This is true even if a prescription is not required in order to enjoy the advantages of having a pet as a friend.
