Pets serve us as companions, friends and protectors. They give a
great deal to us and ask little in return — just the love of a
caring master who will shelter and protect them, just as we do our
children. If you’re a pet lover, you may in fact treat your pets
like children and even consider them as such.
The relationship between pets and humans appears to be symbiotic. Studies
have shown that pets are good for us in numerous ways. Stroking an
animal is known to lower heart rate and blood pressure and brighten mood.
A study found that simply watching fish in an aquarium made patients
waiting to undergo medical procedures less anxious.
Major Steven M. Gerardi, OTR, Commander, 528th Medical Detachment (Combat
Stress Control), U.S. Army, puts it this way:
“Having tender
physical contact with your pet is also good for you. Having an animal to
hold, cuddle and caress has positive effects on people. Especially those
who might have limited means to give or receive physical expressions of
affection. Most of us have felt a warm fuzzy feeling inside just by
getting your face licked by a puppy. After a hard day at work, this kind
of attention can really help you to calm down and relax.
Next, simply talking to
your pet can be very therapeutic. People often talk to their pets to share
their thoughts, feelings, troubles and worries. Although your pet
won’t give you any solutions for your problems, the very act of
talking about your concerns with a good listener may help you find your
own solutions. And you must admit pets are great listeners.
Finally, if you have a dog for a pet, you get to go for a walk at least three
or four times a day. This affords you the perfect excuse to take time to
yourself away from your stressors. These walks give you time to breathe
fresh air, join with nature, collect your thoughts, make plans for the day,
or just daydream. Also, watching your pet frolic and play can’t help
but bring a smile to your face and help to dry up your sea of troubles.
Furthermore, the light exercise you get from walking your pet helps you to
deal with the physical stress reactions you have acquired in the course of
your day. Specifically, walking with your dog helps you to burn up the
pent up energy your stressors have caused.”
While the therapeutic aspects of owning a pet may be beneficial, very few of
us consciously choose pet ownership for this reason. Pets are most often
selected for companionship or, as is the case with dogs, for protection.
While we value our pets for what they provide for us, many of us forget
that pet ownership carries with it responsibilities. Our pets are
dependent upon us to meet their needs; they cannot do this on their
own. Pets require proper shelter, feeding and plenty of water and, when
ill or injured, medical attention. Pets having fur require grooming. Cats
and dogs require quality time spent with their owners at play. Dogs and
horses require daily exercise. If you cannot provide the proper care that
a pet requires, you should choose a pet whose maintenance requirements are
lower or forgo having a pet.
Authored by Kenneth L. Anderson.
Original article published 17 July 2003, updated 23 January
2004.
Ten Spider Pets & Companion Animals provides information and resources
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health of your pet, and maximize your pet’s quality of life.
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