Therapeutic benefits of pets scientifically proven

Therapeutic benefits of pets scientifically proven

Pets as therapy? We all know that eating fruits and vegetables, exercising, controlling stress, and getting enough sleep each night helps improve overall health and longevity. But what if you found that you could further reduce your risk of heart disease and death without cutting carbs or taking another supplement? What if the same thing could reduce the risk of your children developing environmental allergies and improve mental health and well-being? Interested? Then it may be time to attend a local pet adoption event, as these benefits (and more) all come with pet ownership!

According to a 2019 national survey, 67% of households own a pet. ((Link removed)) Pet ownership involves more than just unconditional love and endless entertainment. Additional health and wellness benefits of pet ownership include:

Improved cardiovascular risk and reduced mortality

Pets are often responsible for filling their owner's heart with love. However, studies have also shown that owning a pet can have additional cardiovascular benefits and even reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (and other causes). A 12-year Swedish study of 3.4 million people aged 40 to 80 showed that dog owners had a lower risk of death over the course of the study. Pet ownership has also been linked in a number of studies to reductions in cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, improved cholesterol patterns, and increased heart rate variability and autonomic function. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

Reduced risk of allergies and strengthening of the entire immune system

The term “immunity” does not refer to one specific thing, but rather to a collection of mechanisms that the body uses to protect itself from agents in the environment. This includes microorganisms, foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, environmental allergens such as pollen and animal hair/dander. Pets can be a good source of a number of pets, and interacting with a pet can affect immunity. Researchers have hypothesized that pets increase exposure to a greater number of allergens and other microbes. Published research has shown that growing up with a cat or dog can lead to fewer allergies later in life. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologyfound that children who were exposed to animals at an early age develop stronger immune systems overall. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

Improved stress management features

Pet therapy is becoming increasingly popular in a variety of ways. Many people rely on animals for support, whether in an official capacity as a trained service animal or in the role of a pet or registered emotional support animal.

Veterans, children and students are just a few groups that have shown that people can experience less stress with the presence of a pet. A 12-month study of veterans with PTSD symptoms who were involved in a therapeutic dog ownership program found that participants showed fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress and an increased sense of self-compassion. ((link removed))

Children often have less developed emotional and physiological responses to stress, as well as reduced cognitive coping mechanisms to self-regulate their stress response. (Link removed) In a study of typically developing children between the ages of 7 and 12, perceived stress was found to be alleviated during a novel stressor in the presence of a dog. Students are another group that experiences a lot of stress. In a pet therapy study, students found a statistically significant decrease in stress markers when interacting with therapeutic animals. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

Pet therapy can also benefit the workplace. Stress contributes significantly to employee performance and morale. Researchers examined how the presence of dogs affected workers' stress over the course of a workday. They found that dogs in a workplace can buffer the effects of stress and make the workplace more satisfying for those they come into contact with. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

Naturopaths share how they incorporate the therapeutic benefits of animals into patient care

Reduced risk of obesity and increased activity levels

Despite intensive campaigns to promote obesity awareness and lifestyle interventions, obesity and physical inactivity continue to increase and reach epidemic proportions. In the United States, over 60% of adults are overweight or obese, and less than 50% achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. Studies have shown that people who walk dogs tend to have lower rates of obesity and are 53% more likely to meet recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity. Benefits are not limited to adults. In the United States, childhood obesity has tripled since 1970, with about 20% of children ages 6 to 19 considered obese. However, research has shown that among younger children, the likelihood of becoming overweight or obese was halved for those who owned a dog compared to those who did not. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

Promotes social interaction

Creating, developing and maintaining social connections with others is an important part of maintaining our long-term health. However, for many people this is not an easy task. Social anxiety, communication difficulties, and lack of opportunities can be challenges in forming social bonds. Pets can be great social networkers, helping to facilitate new connections, build support, and build relationships with others. A 2015 study found that people who were pet owners were over 60% more likely to meet and get to know the people in their neighborhood. Although dog owners were most likely to make new friends while walking their dogs, other types of pets like cats, rabbits, and even snakes can also foster a sense of connection. ((link removed), source 2)