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The soft fur of a cat warming up to you, the cuddle of a dog lying at your feet, the sound of birds singing as you walk into the room… Pets can offer a wonderful, unparalleled sense of love and connection.
This unique relationship can generate numerous mental health benefits, enough to make you wonder if life wouldn't be better with a pet.
How do pets promote mental health?
Interacting with a pet can boost mood and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. This companionship can also ease feelings of loneliness, especially for people who live alone. Interactions involving touch and eye contact foster a connection with a living being.
Being responsible for a pet can bring purpose and meaning to our lives. The unconditional love associated with having a companion can help develop self-confidence. Caring for another being also helps develop kindness and compassion.
The opportunity to interact with other people, such as at a dog park, can increase social connections. The playfulness of animals makes you laugh and happy. When stressed, petting and cuddling a pet can relax you. Bonding with a pet can increase kind and caring behaviors toward animals, especially in children. Interacting with a pet allows you to live in the moment.
Treating Mental Disorders with Pets
In addition to the myriad of benefits for general mental health, pets can also help alleviate certain specific disorders.
According to studies, a program with regular schedules for feeding and walking a pet can be beneficial for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Individuals with autism can develop their social skills and self-confidence through the gentle and warm sensory experience provided by pets.
Additionally, people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may find comfort in a service dog.
Whether it's equine therapy to treat depression and addiction, or a therapy dog visiting a hospital to calm anxiety and grief, specially trained animals can help alleviate many mental health conditions.
What are the alternatives when you don't have a pet?
Owning a pet offers many mental and physical benefits, but it's not possible for everyone. Fortunately, there are many other ways to enjoy the benefits these adorable creatures offer.
If taking a pet is impossible for you or prohibited in your place of residence, you can:
- volunteer at an animal shelter;
- temporarily accommodate animals intended for adoption;
- offer pet sitting and walking services;
- spending time with friends and family who have pets; or
- take riding lessons.
Exposure to pets and the opportunity to interact with them can be a wonderful gift. The unconditional love they show us makes them valuable companions that are good for our health.