How Pets Contribute to Mental Wellness and Healing
It is well known - and the scientific literature supports - that pets help provide comfort, security and well-being in their humans. Not only is there an emotional benefit to owning or being around loving animals, but there are physical benefits as well.
Research has shown living with a dog can improve cardiovascular activity, perhaps due to increased physical activity of walking and playing with dogs. Other benefits include lowered cholesterol and heart rate. This Psychology Today article explains “How Dogs Drive Emotional Well-being.”
Maisie, my energetic half Yorkie, half Coton de Tulear definitely makes me take breaks from sitting and working to play with her and take her outside. She is a great hiking companion, as well, and since the pandemic she has been assisting me with my telemedicine work.
In this website from the UK, there are explanations of how pets can help with depression, anxiety, ADHD, companionship, and motivation.
At the beginning of the pandemic in March, a story from Allure magazine illustrated how pets help ease depression and anxiety and other mental health conditions, and it also outlines recent scientific findings. For example, the article cites a 2009 study from Japan that showed that the feel-good/attachment hormone Oxytocin spikes in both humans and their dogs when they look into each others’ eyes.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, there has been an increase in pet adoptions and fostering, and some of my patients are among the new pet owners. Currently, therapy dogs have been doing teletherapy, as well.
For working pet owners who adopted their pet during the pandemic while they have been working from home, there may be a difficult transition for both pet and pet owners whenever they go back to the office. Some offices have pet policies, and others allow dogs with a letter from a mental health professional. There are also great pet sitters and dog walkers who will be happy to spend time with your pet when you have to be away. There have been several amusing articles such as this one from buzzfeed with adorable pictures of pets helping their parents work from home.
On January 20, 2021 newly elected President Biden will reestablish the bipartisan norm of having furry White House inhabitants when he moves in Champ and Major, his two German Shepherds. The latter will be coming straight from the shelter to the White House. (Read about Major’s indoguration, which is being planned by his shelter.). I have no doubt that Champ and Major will be instrumental in aiding the Bidens and all of the new White House staff in uplifting the country during these difficult times. Read more.
Most importantly, pets provide unconditional love, which helps their humans heal and love themselves and is an invaluable gift, especially during these uncertain and difficult times.