CAN PETS IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?

Payton & Lauren

6th period

WHAT HAS RESEARCH SHOWN?

Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those

without pets

People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations

Playing with a cat or dog can help people become relaxed

Pet owners have lower cholesterol levels

Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those who

don’t

Pet owners over age 65 make 30% fewer visits to their doctors

then those without pets

AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE

If you have complicated relationships in your life having a pet to be

there will reduce tension and improve mood by letting feelings out

and getting a positive response. Between the pet and yourself there

will be no hurt feelings and you wont get advice you don’t want

The responsibilities of having to take care of these animals can

actually add a positive focus to your life

Physical activity is obviously an improvement to many aspects to

your life including your mental health. For example, if you own a

dog, taking it on a walk can improve the mental aspect of your life

AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE

The act of a routine helps people who struggle with depression.

Feeding, grooming, and walks can take your mind off of you

problems and help you stay on track with your life

A part of depression is withdrawal from people. Having a pet

means you’re never alone and therefore, you have an act of

companionship with an animal

Pets are natural icebreakers. If you’re taking your pet on a walk,

somebody may ask about the animal, sparking up a conversation.

Pets can gradually push you to have more social interaction

AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE

According to studies, physical contact with others

have showed it helps peoples’ feelings. So having a

cat or dog on your lap to just lay and pet will

improve the way you feel

Owning a dog can lower blood pressure, reduce

stress hormones, and boost feel good chemicals in

the brain, therefore better health. A Chinese woman

who owned a dog reported better sleep, fewer sick

days, and more exercise.

EXAMPLE

Viola is a retired guide dog that is a resident

canine at the Children’s Inn. This is a place where

families stay when their children are undergoing

experimental therapies. Violas job is too greet

families as they come downstairs in the morning and

as they return from treatment in the afternoon.

Dogs like viola have helped launch a new field of

medical research over the past three decades.