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Pooch Power
We all know that having a pet can be fun and amusing and they can be your best friend, but are there tangible health benefits as well?
Absolutely.
Let’s look at the top ten health benefits to living with a pet, or interacting with one through animal assisted therapy visits, volunteering with pets at a shelter or other environments or just walking your friend’s dog!
1. Empathy – studies report that children living in homes in which a pet is considered a member of the family are more empathetic than children in homes without pets.
2. Socialization – when dogs and cats come into a care facility, there is more laughter, warmth, community and interaction among residents than during any other entertainment or therapy time. People with pets are known to have better emotional health as they partake in exercise and social activities more. 
3. Physical Contact, Touch – the importance of touch cannot be overlooked, especially to people living in care facilities or hospitalized. Much has been written about the correlation between touch and health. Infants who are touched very little may have difficulty developing healthy relationships with others people and may fail to thrive and grow physically. Older people who are absent of touch may become withdrawn and depressed and their blood pressure may rise.
4. Acceptance – animals have a way of breaking down barriers and they are accepting without qualification. They don’t care how a person looks or what they say. Their acceptance is unconditional, nonjudgmental, forgiving and uncomplicated.
5. Stress relief – studies have shown that people are more relaxed around animals and the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure can be dramatic. Even observing fish in an aquarium can be therapeutic. Please read “Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac” by Bruce Goldstein for a first hand look at how one dog named Ozzy brought his person back from isolation and depression. (or read our article about Bruce and Ozzy)
6. Entertainment – at the very least a visit with a pet may provide a respite from pain, boredom, loneliness and routine. 
7. Responsibility – having someone or something to care for other than yourself actually frees you to become a better you.
8. Fewer visits to the doctor – studies have found that owning a pet correlates to overall health and less need for doctor visits. A Medicare study of elderly patients discovered that those who interacted with dogs visited the doctors less and recovered more quickly from surgery than those who didn’t.
9. Mood – it is impossible to stay in a bad mood when faced with a pair of soulful eyes. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of having a pet.
10. That X Factor – when people are with animals they have a sense of calm and oneness with nature. It is difficult to explain but I have seen the most agitated, remote people perk up and become gentle and communicative when around therapy dogs.
So celebrate Family Health Month by adopting a pet, volunteering at a local shelter, participating in walks and other activities with pets and especially, loving the pets you already have in your family pack.
Sue Grundfest is a licensed Team Evaluator for Delta Society. Please contact her should you wish to pursue becoming a Pet Partner team with your pet.
If you enjoyed this article, please read our other columns
For more info about the healing powr of pets:
Health benefits of having a dog
Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein
Department of Social Work, Cal State Long Beach
Winter 2009 Journal “Reflections”
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