Cuteness and Support: The Positive Impact Pets Have on Us
By Dominic Callahan
Can you recall the feeling of coming home to a pet after not seeing them? The feeling that you get when you get to bond with them, whether that is going on walks, playing or taking care of them, or even just snuggling up and relaxing ever so cutely with them. That feeling is significant in the everyday lives of pet owners. This animal-human relationship can provide many beneficial effects on the mental health of an individual. Stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness have all been to be affected positively by the role of pets in an individual's life (Smith, 2012). All of these things are very prevalent in many people's lives, and pets can help diminish these problems. Pets, yet being so adorable, still may not be as much credit as they deserve.
One major problem many people face is the constant abundance of stress. This overload of work and the feeling of too many tasks that you can handle can be very detrimental to one's mental health. Pets have been shown to decrease stress and anxiety levels. This can apply to all ages, from younger children to college students to middle-aged and elderly people who have retired. Many college students have reported that pets have had a positive impact on their stress levels and have made their education experience better. Around 96% of college freshman in the United States have said that they would like their university to have a pet therapy program (Thelwell, 2019). In reality, only 60% of colleges have a program like this available to students. It has also been shown that, in particular, dogs have been shown to reduce the feeling of homesickness in college students away from home. Having these pets can often relinquish some of these feelings and can make a college experience much more enjoyable and attainable.
Structure and support can be something precious to someone looking to better their mental health. Getting into a routine of caring for your dog can be a way to add structure to your life, allowing you to have a drive and a sense of purpose with what you are doing daily. Pets can also provide emotional support as well. The bonds humans and pets share are precious, and they can blossom and help mental health. It has also been shown that people who own pets are generally more physically active than those without (Mills, 2023). Tasks like walking your dog and playing outside can encourage physical activity in individuals who may struggle with finding the effort to exercise. Exercise has also been linked to an extremely beneficial impact on positive mental health.
Overall, pet ownership has shown substantial benefits to mental health in a positive way. This form of therapy/support can be very successful in aiding poor mental health. Though pet ownership is proven to be suitable for individuals psychologically, it does not replace other forms of treatment. It is a possible solution to helping many needs of individuals varying in age. From cognitive reinforcement to emotional stability, pets can significantly help. If looking for solutions to any of these problems, maybe look into owning a pet. A beautiful relationship awaits you if you are willing to practice this approach.
References
Smith, P. B. (2012). The 'pet effect': Health related aspects of companion animal ownership. PubMed. Retrieved on February 15th, 2024 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225276820_The_%27pet_effect%27_Health_related_aspects_of_companion_animal_ownership
Thelwell, E. October 21st, 2019. Paws for Thought: A Controlled Study Investigating the Benefits of Interacting with a House-Trained Dog on University Students Mood and Anxiety. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved on February 15th, 2024 from 10.3390/ani9100846
Travers, M. June 28th, 2023. A Psychologist Explores The Transformative Power Of Pets On Mental Health. Forbes. Retrieved on February 15th, 2024 from A Psychologist Explores The Transformative Power Of Pets On Mental Health (forbes.com)