How Pets Improve Our Physical and Emotional Well-Being
8 Reasons to Own a Pet
According to the Delta Society, owning a pet can:
1. Reduce blood pressure
2. Improve chances of survival after a life-threatening illness
3. Lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels
4. Promote better physical health due to exercise with pets
5. Provide companionship and improve social interactions
6. Enrich life for older people and those who are lonely or depressed
7. Support child development and foster a sense of responsibility
8. Increase family happiness and fun
February 2004 - To feel needed and important, while enjoying unconditional love and affection - that's what we all want.
Pets offer all this, and more. Sharing your home and your life with a beloved pet not only improves your emotional health, but also boosts your physical well-being.
Plenty of Pet Benefits
Our furry, scaly and feathered friends can help us recover after a trauma, promote healing for cancer and cardiac patients, assist in recovery after earthquakes, floods and tornados, provide support in counseling, help developmentally delayed people and foster a sense of responsibility in children.
Research cited by the Delta Society, a nonprofit international organization that unites people with disabilities with professionally trained animals, validates the role animals play in people's health and well-being. Simply walking a dog, even once a day, promotes better physical health, while also encouraging positive social interaction with others. The companionship between pet and human alleviates loneliness that can lead to depression. Even the action of petting a dog or cat is said to provide a positive cardiovascular effect that mirrors that of quiet reading. Researchers have suggested that regular interaction with a companion animal can have beneficial long-term effects, too, especially for people experiencing acute or chronic stress.
Volunteering "Fur" a Good Cause
The four-legged volunteers in the Pet-A-Pet Program at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Memorial Regional Hospital are doing their part to bring smiles and healing to everyone they encounter. In a hospital environment that can sometimes be frightening to young children, contact with these cuddly canines provides a much-needed diversion and opportunity to laugh and play.
"You get to bring a bright spot into what might not be such a bright day for them," says Colleen, who brings her pup, Opus, to visit patients in Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital every week as part of the Pet-A-Pet Program. "On more than one occasion, I've had a parent tell me, 'That's the first time I've seen my child smile in days.'"
All dog volunteers and their owners go through a special screening and orientation before they can participate in the Pet-A-Pet Program. The visitation schedule varies through out the week, but dog owners are encouraged to escort their friendly pooches on patient visits at least four hours a week.
Choosing the Right Pet
Although there are plenty of benefits in owning a pet, it's essential to weigh all the factors before choosing one. Animals come in all sizes, shapes, energy levels and temperaments, and with varying grooming and maintenance needs. Consider the following before making your final decision:
- Your Lifestyle — Will you be at home enough to fulfill the needs of a pet, such as exercising, socializing, training and grooming?
- Your Home Environment — Will your pet be indoors, outdoors or both? Do you have a small or large yard? Is your yard fenced? Do you live in a house or apartment?
- Ordinary & Unexpected Expenses — Consider the cost of vaccinations, worming, flea control, food, toys, treats, spaying or neutering, and veterinary expenses in case of illness or injury.
- The Type of Pet — How energetic will the pet be? How big will the pet get? What is the pet's temperament?
With proper planning and consideration, you can select a pet that's ideal for your personality and lifestyle. Then, you can enjoy the unconditional love, companionship and physical benefits that only a pet offers.
For more information about Pet-A-Pet or other volunteer opportunities at Memorial Healthcare System, please call (954) 987-2000.