Benefits of Man’s Best Friend Interactions between humans and animals have existed since prehistoric times. Humans depended on animals for “food, clothing, and transportation”, and “animals were the focus of religious worship” in many ancient cultures (The PEDIGREE®, 1). In more recent years, the number of animals kept for companionship and pleasure has massively increased (The PEDIGREE®, 1). In present day society pets, dogs in particular, play an essential role in the health and structure of many families. Pets are not only able to provide companionship, there is also evidence of the positive effects they provide on human health and psychological mentality. Companion animals play an important role in their owner’s lives, by being able to positively influence a human’s physical health. Simply “stroking or petting an animal has repeatedly been shown to cause transient decreases in blood pressure and/or heart rate” (Wells 524). Interactions with a familiar animal have a greater benefit, because they “appear to serve a greater therapeutic benefit than those with an unfamiliar animal” (Wells 524). Petting an animal can also positively benefit the health of the animal itself, because it helps create a lower heart rate for the animal (Wells 524). These effects may only be short term, but they are beneficial. It has also been reported that “pet owners have been discovered to visit the doctor significantly less than individuals who do not own a companion animal” (Wells 526).
This has led to the belief that dogs can provide company, affection and support to people who are going through a difficult time or who feel lonely. Dogs have aided humans in tasks such as hunting, livestock herding, and guarding. However, as society moved from small rural communities to increasingly large metropolitan areas, the dog’s role changed. Throughout the years a more specific type of
The research question states ‘To what extent is owning a dog beneficial for a person’s physical and psychological health?’ The investigation is aimed to determine the extent of the benefits of owning a dog for a person’s physical and psychological health. The main focus will be on exercising, developing one’s responsibility and companionship. The findings from this research target on people those involved or interested in owning a dog, such as dog owners, animal lovers, children and the elderly. The investigation will address three key benefits of owning a dog in terms of maintaining one’s physical and psychological health, which include exercise, taking responsibility and companionship.
Pets provide a sense of comfort and purpose in their owner’s life (Bennett). Humans have the basic need to touch, thus, when a person strokes an animal, blood pressure lowers and leaves that person feeling more calmed and less stressed (Robinson and Segal), though researchers believe that cats have a more calming effect on people than other animals do (WebMD). Giving a child a pet is very effective in helping them develop basic motor and social skills, a sense of responsibility, compassion, empathy, stimulate imagination, creativity, curiosity, and even make them feel better about themselves. Furthermore, both children and adults alike become more active when having a pet for a companion (Robinson and Segal). “Horseback riding gives stretching exercise, and helps at regaining balance and building core strength” (WebMD). While multiple studies have shown that walking one’s dog, grooming, and even petting boosts fitness, also counting as weight-loss, strengthens the heart, muscles, immune system, and bones, while improving blood circulation, boosting energy, and slowing the loss of bone tissue (WebMD; Robinson and Segal; Humane Society of the United States) “People who have pets tend to have better levels of cholesterol, cortisol, and triglyceride” (WebMD), moreover, “playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax” (Robinson and Segal). “In 2001, a study
In a recent study conducted by Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Missouri-Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness showed that when humans pet a dog, within minutes there is a huge amount of beneficial hormones known to be associated with health and feelings of well-being.(Becker par. 2) These hormones are called beta endorphin, prolactin, dopamine, oxytocin, and beta phenylethylamine (Becker par. 2). The hormones that are released from the interaction between the animal and the human allow the patients to feel more blissful and trusting. Along with being emotionally benefited from working with animals in assisted therapy; people can benefit physically. For example, people who have physical
“A Healthy Dose of Puppy Love” by Kathryn Satterfield describes a new study that shows that dogs can improve an individual’s health by lowering anxiety levels and by improving cardiac function. Specially trained therapy dogs visited a hospital in November in Dallas, Texas to help conduct a study that animals can improve an individual’s health, to do this people split the seventy six patients into a total of three groups: visitors with dogs, visitors, and an “at rest group.” For accurate results researches preformed anxiety tests on the patients before, during, and after the visit, and the results concluded that patients who received visits from people had encountered a ten percent drop in anxiety, while patients who received visits from dogs
While humans and animals are commonly seen to think apart and generate thoughts differently than each other, the truth is that since the beginning, humans and animals have had many ways in which they found each other to be compatible with the opposite, because they had come to a realization that they needed each other physically, emotionally, and mentally. And of course though pets may not be suitable to someone’s capricious persona, studies over time have shown that, spending quality time with a pet boosts happiness and helps your immune system.
A growing body of research indicates that having a dog nearby has proven beneficial for people’s health. Simply petting or playing with a dog lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, and releases hormones that promote feelings of pleasure and calmness (McIntosh). Caring for a dog, such as taking the dog on walks provides beneficial exercise and opportunities for social contacts. Not surprisingly, pet owners are less anxious and less likely to become depressed than people who do not have pets. The health benefits do not stop there.
Scientists have shown that pet ownership can have demonstrably positive effects on human health. "A 10-month prospective study was carried out which examined changes in behaviour and health status in 71 adult subjects following the acquisition of a new pet (either dogs or cats). A group of 26 subjects without pets served as a comparison over the same period. Both pet-owning groups reported a highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in dog owners through to 10 months" (Serpell 1991). Dog owners in particular benefited from
For millions of years dogs have remained a constant companion of man. Bred from the aggressive and formidable Gray Wolf tens of thousands of years ago the domestic dog now lives in many homes across the world. Where in the far distant past the domestic dog was bred as a guard animal, a beast of burden, and even a food source the dogs of today are bred for a far more endearing purpose-companionship and love. Finding a pet dog that is more of a joy than a chore is necessary when asking: How much is that puppy in the window?
Pets play a large part in the life of many, “According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 60 percent of households in the United States have at least one pet” (Crowling 82). In the past, pets have been seen as exactly that, pets. People fed them dog food, and it was normal to keep them outside for the majority of their lives. However, in recent years they have become to mean so much more. The attachment people in today’s world have with their animals is unlike anything in the past. Pets have moved in and become a part of the family. They used to sleep outside, now they sleep in bed alongside their owners and get specially made food. In .
Having a pet can significantly change a person's life. Whether it's a dog or cat, they can help improve your health. To prove this in the article, “The benefits of pets for human health,” it says, “ Some research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise, and are less depressed.” (Casciotti, Zuckerman, NCHR) This shows that people with pets are healthier by getting more exercise, and
First, owning a pet can give people some major health benefits. Without a pet, a day at work or school can be stressful. By the end of the day, people could be ripping out their hair or throwing papers everywhere. This can make anyone’s heart rate go up as well as their blood pressure. Thankfully, studies have shown that interacting with a dog or other pet can lower his or her’s cortisol levels. For instance, after only three months, a group of people working with dogs were shown to have significant drops in blood pressure and stress. Pet’s happy go lucky vibes can impact their owners to feel the same, lowering his or her’s stress level. Even when someone sees a picture of their pet when they're stressed, it can immediately cause his or her’s heart
The moral Dilemma of Pets by Leslie Irvine reveals the controversies surrounding pet companionship. She talks about the treatment of animals from a historical context. In the early ages, animals were given to the elite, middle class group and were culturally looked upon for religious beliefs. As well, there was also a belief that animals were made for humans by God. Later, she explains that we should hope for a world without animal exploitation
Why such beneficial effects? “Ironically, the most common reason people give for not having pets-having to care for them-is one of the reasons pets improve health. Pets require that you ‘extend’ yourself when you normally wouldn’t, and for people who are ill or just want better health, pets turn them into ‘care
“A dog is a man’s best friend” goes much deeper than the phrase might initially imply. Recently many medical journals have begun to identify with the many and varied benefits of pet ownership. Men have always relied upon animals for work, transportation, and survival. As times have changed, man has begun to appreciate a different bond with animals. Gone are the days of animals running free outside around the homestead, for now animals are allowed inside and are considered by many to be an integral part of our daily lives! Medical studies have found that animals have a much greater intelligence level than originally thought. Through proper training and experience, animals are not only household pets, but also are becoming an accepted form