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Petting a dog is a well-known stress reliever, and new research shows that your four-legged companion can benefit your heart and overall health as well. Dogs may have the upper paw in helping you stay healthy. A study reviewing research on the health benefits of having a pet concluded that compared to cat owners or people without pets, dog owners have lower cholesterol and blood pressure, suffer from fewer health problems, and recover more quickly from serious illness. Researchers say that stroking any animal buffers stress, but dog owners also walk their pets and often socialize along the way, activities that are well-known health promoters. from Dog Age Tip of the Week March 8, 2007
Animals can give us joy on many levels – helping us to forget our worries and pains, better connect with those around us, and enjoy the simple act of being alive. The medical field is exploring the health benefits of interaction with companion animals. Pet-facilitated therapy (PFT) appears to help children and families deal with the pain and emotional trauma associated with hospitalization or a trauma event, and visits from volunteer animals may help patients who have pets at home maintain a more normal living during their hospital stay. Playing with the animals often helps people to take a much-needed mental and physical break from the stresses of what they are going through. Interaction with animals can help break the cycle of loneliness, hopelessness, and social withdrawal that is often seen in older adults. Many nursing homes and adult home-visit services will use companion animals as a means to promote interaction between the residents. from Animals and Your Health: Pet Facilitated Therapy by Skye Schulte, MS. MPH Also see Health Benefits of Animals
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