Whether your friend has fur, feathers or scales, pets offer more than just companionship. They also can provide a host of mental, physical and social health benefits for their humans.
Have you ever wondered why pets are used for hospital and classroom therapy? That’s because playing with a pet, or even watching a fish swim, can help reduce stress by lowering the level of cortisol — the stress hormone. It also helps boost oxytocin — the feel-good hormone — that helps combat depression. And in the classroom, students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are able to better focus their attention when reading to dogs. Pets have even been shown to reduce stress in children with autism, while also increasing their social skills.
Physically, the same hormones that help you feel less stressed also help lower blood pressure. And if you have a dog or other pet that requires regular walks, you may also see an increase in your physical activity, which can help you lose or maintain weight and boost your heart health.
In addition to providing companionship, pets can help you create social connections. One survey noted that pet owners were 60% more likely than non-pet owners to meet people in their neighborhoods. And those who take their pets on walks were more likely to report making friends with someone they met along their journey.
So, the next time someone tells you your best friend is just a pet, you can tell them your pet is part of your health and wellness plan! And if you want the benefits of a pet but aren’t quite ready to commit, don’t worry, there are still ways you can reap the rewards. Start by offering to walk your neighbor’s dog, pet sit for a friend or volunteer at a local animal shelter. Even small interactions can provide some health benefits.
Sources: health.harvard.edu, hopkinsmedicine.org, newsinhealth.nih.gov
Produce Manager Bradley Daniel, #1239, St. Augustine, Florida, and Customer Service Manager Anna Griswold, #1169, Orange Park, Florida, with Cash and June
Assistant Pharmacy Manager Arielle Markowitz, #1550, Hickory, North Carolina, with Mowgli
Bakery Manager Crystal McQuigg, #458, Oviedo, Florida, with Milo
Customer Service Manager Jenai Pearson, #656, Columbia, South Carolina, with Dexter
User Experience Content Designer Peter Newkirk, Customer Care & Social Media, Lakeland, Florida, with Belle
Riley Sumner, daughter of Administrative Assistant Dinah Sumner, Facilities, Lakeland, Florida, with Goldie
