Times have changed, and the old saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” would be far less acceptable in today’s culture. Research has now shown that not only is a dog man’s best friend, but dogs are also a girl’s best friend. As a matter of fact, having any pet has a very positive effect on all of us.

Most pets are quickly accepted when they are brought into a home. However, the way pets are welcomed into American homes is clearly evidenced by the number of pet stores found throughout the country. Supermarkets contain numerous shelves stocked just with products for pets.

Regardless of whether the pet is a cat, dog, fish, bird, rabbit, gerbil, horse, or any of a number of other types of animals, the psychological and physical benefits can be enormous. Let’s talk about some of those benefits.

Physical Benefits

Research studies have shown that an individual’s blood pressure decreases when speaking softly and in a friendly manner to a pet. Relaxation can be a very positive consequence of dealing with pets. Certain pets, for example, fish in a fish tank have an almost hypnotic ability to help someone relax.

Having a pet can increase opportunities to exercise, do things such as walking outside, playing, and interacting with a pet. Research has shown, that walking or just playing and interacting with a pet can not only decrease blood pressure, but can also decrease cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, which are all very important factors in improving overall health.

Psychological Benefits

Having pets around can provide a great “outlet” for emotional energy that must be released. Pets can help to reduce stress and anxiety in both children and adults. Depression can also be alleviated. Interaction with animals has been proven to help individuals get out of a depression rut. Many other emotional issues have benefited from interacting with pets, such as anger, frustration, and sadness, to name a few. Having the responsibility of a pet also adds structure to your day, which can be psychologically beneficial.

Pets can help with loneliness, giving a sense of companionship. For people who do not get enough fulfillment from human interaction, pets tend to fill a void.

Life Satisfaction

Surveys of pet owners have shown repeatedly that individuals who have pets have rated their lives more positive and more satisfactory than individuals who did not own pets. Owning pets brought about greater feelings of safety and security. This doesn’t simply include people who own large dogs. There’s something about having another living creature in the home that creates a warm, comfortable feeling.

Dealing With Others

Individuals who have difficulty communicating may be able to improve this with pets. Individuals who own pets are often more comfortable in interpersonal relationships. This could be because the topic of pets is an easy icebreaker in a conversation. Dealing with pets can help the person be more sensitive and compassionate. Going outside with a pet and talking to others may be easier, especially for a shy person.

Pets Have an Open Heart And Love Unconditionally

Pets have so much love to give and they can be so unrestrained in giving it! Certain pets, such as dogs, are much more known for their love-giving. Other pets such as gerbils and birds, may not overtly show as much love, but the playfulness and cheerfulness that you’ll see (for example the happy chirping or singing of the bird) shares and inspires contentment.

In exchange for the love that pets give, they require so little in return. They don’t need any of the complexities that a human being requires. A pet’s basic needs just include food, water, and shelter, as well as attention. However, in exchange for this, their affection is virtually without restriction and long-term.

Who Can Benefit?

Virtually everyone, from children through senior citizens, can reap the rewards of having a pet. In fact, research studies have even shown that marked physical improvements occur in nursing home residents when pets are brought in. These senior citizens may improve in their alertness, their ability to move around and even in their speech, when interacting with pets!

Another good example of the positive effect pets have on humans is when therapy dogs are brought into hospitals. It has been shown that interactions help reduce stress and anxiety and bring great joy to many patients.

Children Love Pets, And Learn From Them Too!

A little more about children and pets: pets can be good teachers. Children can learn a lot about responsibility and coping from caring for a pet. They can learn to be more selfless, taking care of an animal that may not be self-sufficient.

Even The Negatives Can Be Positive

As with anything else, things are not always positive concerning pets. Pet owners often complain that they feel more “tied down” than individuals without pets. This negative can be significant. But in many cases, people who feel this way have also said that they welcomed the extra responsibility and felt that it was a small price to pay for the benefits that came from pet ownership.

Conclusion

Pets and people benefit from each other. They provide each other with companionship, protection, and pleasure. They improve each other’s sense of responsibility and provide each other with an enhanced quality of life.

Animals have a natural coping instinct. Even when pets are not feeling well, they always seem to be ready and able to be affectionate to their owners. This is a lesson in coping that should not be lost on individuals dealing with a variety of problems.

So pets can help you cope, and can bring increased levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and contentment to their owners and family members.

For Further Reading

• ·Becker, M., & Morton, D. The healing power of pets: harnessing the amazing ability of pets to make and keep people happy and healthy, Hyperion, 2002
• Carlisle, P. Pet therapy: learn how to use pet therapy to control your mental health (pet therapy, pet, pet therapy dog, pet therapy in prison, pet therapy laser, pet therapy vest, pet therapy pool). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015
• Gettings, G. Pawsitively yours: A year’s worth of reasons to adopt a dog. Amazon, Independently published, 2024
• Miller, D. Healing companions: ordinary dogs and their extraordinary power to transform lives. Career Press; First Edition, 2010