Pets for health

You've probably heard something about 'a pet being good for you' over the years, but not known why: many recent studies are proving it's not just from exercise.

Research has long shown that pet owners have better mental health, but what wasn’t clear was whether people of more robust health are more likely to get pets in the first place, or whether it was owning a pet that made them healthier. A German study using a sample group of 10,000 people studied over a five-year period, found that those who have a pet continuously for five years make the fewest visits to the doctor, with people who had got a pet within the study period being the next healthiest.

Physiologically, it seems the main effects of having a pet are on cardiovascular health. One study from New York State University found that hypertensive stockbrokers lowered their blood pressure readings after adopting a dog for six months – while other research found that just ten minutes in the company of a pet can significantly reduce blood pressure, as well as raise levels of the ‘bonding’ hormone, oxytocin.

Pet owners also have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, which probably contributes to their 3% reduction in heart attack mortality rate. A New York study also found that pet ownership is predictive of survival one year on from a heart attack.

Additionally research has found that children who have a pet in their first year of life are less likely to suffer from allergies or asthma.

There is undoubtedly a strong psychological component in the pet-health connection as well. American research found that pet owners cope better with adverse life events such as bereavement, while other research found that children in war-torn countries coped with their harrowing circumstances better if they owned a cat or dog. Having someone else to worry about other than yourself is probably a big part of it, as well as being able to derive comfort from the love of a pet.

British researchers also found that children frequently preferred pets to humans as providers of comfort and as confidants, and noted that owning a pet can aid development of self-esteem. Even 50% of adults confide their worries to their pets – with 48% describing them as their ‘best friend.’

There are so many benefits of owning a pet that organisations around the world are beginning to take action to convey the advantages of having a four-legged friend to a wider audience. For example, the Pets As Therapy program organises doggy visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions to benefit patients and residents every week.

In Australia, animal assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of patients, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants - either individuals or groups. The Children's Hospital, Westmead, is the first NSW hospital to run an AAT program where children who otherwise prove challenging in physiotherapy, and therefore have difficulty reaching their rehabilitation goals, work with a pet.

An increasing number of US companies are allowing dogs to be taken to the workplace by now participating in the annual ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’. According to the American Humane Association, firms that allow dogs to be brought to work regularly benefit from happier employees, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

So if you don't have a pet, looking after one could subtlely improve your health. It doesn't have to cost you a fortune either: your local animal shelter will be happy to help you find a pet to suit your lifestyle.

Resources:
http://www.realbuzz.com/en-us/Healthy_living/index?pageID=1278
http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/animal_assisted_therapy.htm
http://www.adoptapet.com.au/