Scroll through your social media and you will find kitten videos, puppy photos and even hamster profile pages. In the UK alone it is estimated that as many as 10% of household pets have their own Facebook page and 50% of pet owners regularly post photos of their furry friends. “Petworking”, as it has been coined, is very popular. We flock to it because it makes us laugh and warms our hearts.
Specifically, pets:
- May reduce the occurrence and severity of allergies, eczema and asthma in children. There is evidence that continued exposure to pet dander and fur can help build stronger immune systems. One study found that only 19% of one year olds in homes with pets showed pet allergies, while up to 33% of same aged children from pet-free homes suffered from the same.
- Can help people develop better coping skills for stress. Taking time to enjoy a pet can raise chemical levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These are the calming chemicals, both known for reducing anxiety.
- Improve your physical fitness. Dogs do need to be walked!
- Are good for your heart, literally. Heart attack survivors on average live longer if they have a pet at home than those without.
In fact, therapeutic treatments have been created using animals. Dubai-based SENSE specialises in animal assisted therapy. General Manager, Brian Galligan, explains, “We have psychologists and therapists who use animals as a medium for their work. Patients do not dread their sessions when an animal is involved. In fact, it hardly seems like work to them”.
SENSE has dogs, goats, bunnies, a pony, a cockatoo and several goldfish in their therapy menagerie. They work with people with social, speech and emotional issues where talking to the animals can help build trust and raise self-esteem. Their animals work on balance and motor skills to help people with physiological disorders. They even have a programme to help reading-challenged children practice reading to animals. “They are terrific listeners and always give positive reinforcement,” says Galligan.
Pets take time, money and space, that’s for sure, but the health benefits alone suggest the benefits can far outweigh the disadvantages. Should you decide to join the pet owner population, don’t forget to post photos!
With thanks to Heather Long Vandevoorde, Ph.D.