More and more research is being done to determine if a pet benefits our lives. Personally, I am sure that they do. So let’s look at what we get from our pets. Of course we know about the exercise we get from walking them, the good endorphins, and all the good that does. We have heard of pets that have saved their humans life and have served their human in service animal capacity. We have read and heard about prison programs which use animals to rehabilitate prisoners. But just what is all this?
Our overall health is better when we have a pet according to researchers www.MarsPetCare.com . Pets not only increase our daily activity but they also reduce stress. Gently petting a cat or dog is more stress reducing than eating a well-balanced meal. Worldwide research shows that pet owners have fewer medical visits. But what about these prisoners, what does being responsible for a pet have to do with their ratio to reoffend? Pets, dogs and cats, seem to help ease the stress of prison and then offer a positive reinforcement to the prisoner of caring. This maybe the first time since entering the prison system the person has felt a value or positive comfort. And in turn this helps the person look beyond the sentence to what is next.
The stimulation offered to elderly and disabled is one of comfort and love. Pets bring a positive need into the person’s life. Caring for and being cared for is an exchange of love without expectation. Calming the stress and need to not be a burden for the elderly is a way to help foster healing and in some cases the need for less care, thereby returning to their own home.
Having all this information makes us wonder, why we can’t do some of this for the pets. Shelters try but are only so big and can only house so many. The Humane Society has the same constraints, so what to do? The first step is to Spay and Neuter animals prior to having to be responsible for the welfare of puppies or kittens. Next when looking for a pet, don’t discount your local Shelter or Rescue, these pets are just as cute, loving and can be trusted. And last love your pet in the truest sense of the word. They will return that feeling a thousand times.
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