ADANTA -
Pets & Our Health
By Tracie R . Horton , CEO / Executive Director The Adanta Group
After a long and stressful day , nothing is as welcoming as going home to a pet that acts as if you are the only person in the world . It might even be likely that no one else in your home will be as excited at your arrival as your pet or as sad to see you go . Although the relationship between animals and humans dates back centuries , time has transformed this relationship from one being based on utility to one based on love and family . Now more than ever , pets have become beloved members of the family and in short , play an active role in helping us to live healthier lives .
Animals Helping People .
An estimated 68 % of households have a pet . Pets can play an important role in both our physical and mental health in a number of ways including :
• Increasing our physical activity . Dog owners are likely to take their pets for a walk daily .
• Providing companionship . Pets can give you a sense of security and serve as a “ someone ” to share your days ; caring for them can help you feel wanted and needed . This can be especially helpful for people who live alone .
• Reducing anxiety . The companionship of a pet can help to ease your anxiety .
• Boosting self-confidence . Pets can be great listeners , offer unconditional love and won ’ t criticize you . This can help especially if you feel isolated or misunderstood .
• Reducing symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder . A 2018 study found that service dogs can help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD in veterans by lowering their depression , improving their resilience , reducing loneliness and improving their overall psychological well-being .
• Helping you meet new people . Dog owners often stop and chat with each other on walks . Cute puppies , kittens , birds , pigs , horses and llamas , just to name a few , are some of the images getting tons of
feedback on social media .
• Adding structure to your day . Feeding , exercising and caring for a pet can help you keep to a daily routine , which can help you feel more grounded and focused . It can give you purpose and a sense of achievement .
What the Research Suggests .
As it turns out , the warm fuzzy feeling we get from having a pet isn ’ t just because they are cute ; scientific research also supports the positive effects of the human-animal bond in our daily lives . According to the American Heart Association ’ s Healthy Bond for Life survey highlighting the mental and physical benefits of pet companionship :
• 95 % of pet parents rely on their pet for stress relief .
• Nearly 7 in 10 ( 69 %) survey responders say they take better care of their pet than themselves .
• 70 % report they would rather spend time with their pet than watch television to de-stress .
• Nearly half report being more physically active because of their pet .
• The most popular ways pet help people de-stress is snuggling ( 68 %), making their owners laugh ( 67 %) and helping them feel less lonely ( 61 %).
The National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) is also funding large scale surveys to find out how the range of pets people live with and how their relationships with their pets relate to health . According to an NIH , study , evidence supports that dogs may aid in the classroom helping children with ADHD focus their attention while children with autism spectrum disorder were calmer while playing with guinea pigs in the classroom . Kids who read to real animals showed better social skills and more sharing , cooperation , and volunteering with fewer behavioral problems than kids who read to stuffed animals .
Animals other than dogs may also help
40 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky april 2023