Written/Edited by: Teresa and Mana
March 3, 2024
Introduction
Today, we're talking about how animals can make a big difference for our mental health. We’ll talk about how animals, like dogs, can give us comfort and support when we're feeling down.
Animals That Help
Helper Dogs: These are specially trained dogs that assist people who might have trouble moving or might feel anxious.
Comfort Pets: These are animals that give us company and make us feel better when we're sad or stressed.
Animals at School
School Dog Buddies: Some schools have dogs that visit to cheer up students who feel worried or upset.
Therapy Pets at School: Sometimes, animals are part of therapy sessions at school to help students feel better.
Pets at Home
Companion Pets: Pets like cats or dogs can be our friends and make us feel less alone.
Routine and Caring: Taking care of pets gives us a schedule and something to look after, which can help us feel good.
Nature's Friends
Outdoor Adventures with Animals: Doing things like walking with dogs or riding horses outside can help us relax and feel happier.
Nature Therapy with Animals: Being with animals outside can help us feel calm and less stressed.
Science Speaks
Research Shows: Scientists have found that being with animals can really improve how we feel.
Chemicals in our Brains: When we're with animals, our brains release chemicals that make us feel happy and calm.
Animals are amazing helpers for our mental health! Whether they're trained helpers or just our pets, they bring lots of joy. Don't forget to spend time with animals if you can—they're like furry therapists who always have time for us!
The Science Behind the Benefits
Studies have shown that interacting with animals significantly decreases levels of cortisol, a hormone related to increase in stress levels. At the same time, oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is a positive chemical — specifically, it’s a neurotransmitter linked to love, affection, and bonding.
Because interacting with animals causes a spike in mental stimulation, it can even aid those with poor memory, head injuries, and some chronic diseases.
If you have children or older adults in your family, you may feel even more inclined to adopt a pet. Not only can they improve moods, but studies have found that children who interact with pets experience reduced impulsivity, aggression, social withdrawal, and risk behaviors. At the same time, they experience improvements in reading rate and accuracy, memory and categorization performance, adherence to instructions, attention, motivation, and mood. Older adults experience reductions in heart rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, blood pressure, risk of falls, and hospitalization rates. A rise in physical activity, walking distance and speed, and walking ability and stability were also found.
In an American study, pet owners supported this science. They reported that pets:
Help reduce stress and anxiety (69%).
Provide unconditional love and support (69%)
Offer companionship (69%).
Provide a calming presence (66%).
Are true friends (63%).
American Psychiatric Association CEO and Medical Director Saul Leven, M.D., M.P.A., says that “[t]he benefits of pet ownership to many Americans seem to outweigh the stressors”. He suggests that those who are not able to adopt a pet should volunteer with animals.
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Sources:
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets#:~:text=Interacting%20with%20animals%20has%20been,support%2C%20and%20boost%20your%20mood.
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