The Love Affair with Our Pets
By Sandy Modell
A pet’s companionship, comfort and non-judgmental nature can have powerful effects. As American wildlife photographer, writer, wildlife preservationist and television personality Roger Andrew Caras once said, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
And they’re good for our health
Is there anything better than coming home after a hard day’s work to find that your dog is overjoyed at your return? Or your cat wants nothing more than to curl up in your lap, purring to beat the band? You may even relax by watching your fish swim peacefully in their tank.
While there are still contradictory opinions on the health benefits of pet ownership, recent studies suggest that owning an animal can help to reduce your blood pressure, alter the course of heart disease and lower your stress level.
Studies also suggest that people who own pets are generally in better health than those who do not. Pets encourage us to move a little or a lot more, depending upon the breed. Dogs must go outside for walks. Cats, too, need robust exercise and interactive playtime. And these positive effects hold for every kind of pet studied so far, including but not limited to dogs, cats, gerbils, parakeets, chickens, fish, mice, rabbits, and iguanas.
Animals can often help those who can no longer be helped by people. In particular, pets can help people who feel withdrawn, depressed or hopeless. Animal-assisted therapy can help children and teens who have difficulty relating to an adult therapist but find comfort in playing with a dog.
What is undisputed is that pets provide us with unconditional love and that loving an animal will have a positive effect on our lives. Whether a service animal, therapy animal, working animal or a pet – our love for them and their love for us feels amazing.
University of Maryland researcher Dr. Ann Cain found that 87 percent of pet owners thought of their pets as members of the family; 81 percent felt that pets tuned in to their feelings; and 38 percent celebrated their pet’s birthday.
The care and feeding of the family pet can be a child’s first serious responsibility. And teaching children how to train their dog gives them a sense of empowerment and builds their confidence along with their relationship with their pet.
The benefits work both ways
We experience a surge of “feel good” hormones—elevated serotonin and dopamine levels—plus lower blood pressure and less stress simply by touching our pets. Animals pick up on our moods, too, and tend to draw near to provide emotional support when we’re feeling blue.
And they get the same benefits from being petted. Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” calls this the love loop. In other words, it’s mutual. We effect the same physiological changes in our pets as they do in us. In general, animals are fun and can make us laugh and feel relaxed.
Pets are also social magnets. Walk down The Avenue in Del Ray or along King Street with a puppy at the end of the leash and you are guaranteed to have people stop and talk. Taking your pup to a training class provides comradery with people who have the common goal of training their dogs.
