The Effects of Animals on Human Health and Well‐Being The Effects of Animals on Human Health and Well‐Be | Page 18

1. They can help improve self-esteem
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows
that pet owners exhibit stronger self-esteem than non-pet-owners. What’s
more, pet owners are more extroverted and less fearful than people who don’t
own pets.
2. They can help reduce the risk of allergies
Contrary to popular belief, it seems owning a pet does not make you more
susceptible to allergies.
In fact, studies suggest that being exposed to a pet early in life may decrease
your risk of animal allergies later on. In research conducted on young adults,
those who had a pet in their home during infancy were approximately 50
percent less likely to develop an allergic reaction to animals.
3. They can help reduce our negativity