Health Benefits Of Pet Therapy

Decreases Anxiety And Depression

Researchers have identified a phenomenon they call the 'pet effect,' which helps decrease depression, stress, and anxiety in individuals all over the world. Eighty million households in the United States have a pet. For individuals without pets, pet therapy can produce some of the same positive effects, as can volunteering at shelters and animal rescues. When a survey was done of pet owners throughout the United States, seventy-four percent said they experienced improvements in their mental health due to pet ownership. Seventy-five percent of the pet owners in the survey said a family member or friend's mental health had been improved through their pet ownership. There's an entire field of study called human-animal bond research that studies the documented health benefits from pet interaction. Positive interactions between humans and animals have been shown to make physiological changes that reduce depression, anxiety, fear, and stress. In addition, there's a measurable increase in the oxytocin found in the brain. These chemicals help stimulate feelings of warmth, love, and companionship.

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Reduces Loneliness

One of the strongest mental health benefits of pet therapy is it reduces loneliness. Owning a pet, many say, is the most powerful way of reducing loneliness, though pet therapy in a clinical setting can create similar effects. Cat and dog owners can attest that cats and dogs each have their own personality. In addition, dogs have been bred to be attuned to the emotions and behavior of humans. Though we aren't able to speak to dogs and cats as much as we might want to, we can still communicate with them. Individuals who suffer from depression say that sometimes having an animal to feed gives them a reason to get up in the morning. In addition, the unconditional love pets show can help boost an individual's self-esteem and overall mood. Even when individuals are having trouble maintaining the human relationships in their life, a pet will be there for them. Many individuals say pet therapy helps them feel connected to the world.

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