The healing power of pets

Pets. Some people can’t imagine a life without them and some people can’t stand them for even a minute. We won’t judge either of them, we’ll just focus on objective facts. In this article you will learn about the healing power of pets.

Health benefits of pets

It has been proven how pets can improve our health in multiple ways.  Moreover, they can help people cope with mental diseases  and can make them significantly happier with their presence. If you have a pet you’ll probably agree with us when we say that having them can bring you immediate joy. What you may not know is all the physical and psychological benefits that they hide underneath.

Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. And, of course, there is more! Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults.  But what is considered most important, though, is that a pet can add true love and real joy to your life.

Children

It has been demonstrated by different studies that having a pet can really have an impact on children’s health. First of all, it can give them a sense of security when they are alone at home, making them feel protected. Moreover, as the animal is really loyal and loving it helps them acquire a positive self-image, while improving their social abilities and making them more prone to build relationships. Finally, there have been many cases in which having a pet has been beneficial to calm and reeducate aggressive or hyperactive children.

The elder people

The healing power of pets have also been demonstrated in the elder people. Their struggle is usually loneliness and their physical discomfort. By having a pet, we have been able to notice how their mood was better and their vitality boosted dramatically. Also, it helps them stay connected with the world. In many cases they don’t have many friends and their families cannot be with them every day, so having a pet gives them company and makes them feel loved and cared. Therefore, it gives them joy and meaning to life.

How pets help adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia

As part of the disease, Alzheimer’s patients may exhibit a variety of behavioral problems, many are because of their inability to deal with stress.

• Research at the University of California at Davis concluded that Alzheimer’s patients suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a dog or cat in the home.
• Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained, docile animal can help soothe an Alzheimer’s patient and make aggressive behaviors decrease.
• Also, it is important to take into account that pets can help ease the stress of caregivers, who are under a lot of stress. Cats or caged animals may be more suitable than dogs, which generally require more care and can add to the burden of someone who’s already looking after an Alzheimer’s patient.

Having a pet is a responsibility

Having a pet doesn’t mean that you’re going to cure miraculously from an illness. Owning a pet is beneficial and comforting only for those who love and appreciate domestic animals and have the time and money to keep a pet happy and healthy. If you don’t like animals at all, pet ownership is not going to provide you with any health benefits or improve your life.

You have to be aware of all that comes with having an animal and be committed to it as they also have rights and deserve a good life.