Should Pets Be A Better Than Pets?

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

Dogs also make wonderful therapists. They can lead to better relaxation. “Studies have shown that dogs are more effective at lowering stress levels than people you are closest with”. (Medibank). Being around dogs frequently can lower anxiety and overall improve your mood.

But both have one thing in common: They love their people, which, when you come right down to it, is the single most important quality a friend can have. (Newman, A.(2007). CATS vs. DOGS (Cover story).National Geographic Kids,(368), 20.). While most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals, many remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of playing with or snuggling up to a furry friend. (http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm) Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets and people with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.( http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm). Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets, also Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without. (http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm) Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax humans and pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets. (http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm).

The well-known saying, “A dog is man’s best friend” implies that there is a common belief that pet ownership improves our overall well-being (Peacock, Hansen, & Winefield, 2012). However, Chur-Hansen and Winefield’s 2005 study resulted in contradictory findings that show there is no direct relationship between companion animals and increased well-being (as cited in Peacock et al., 2012). Garrity, Stallones, Marx, & Johnson’s 1989 study concluded that companion animals positively affect an individual 's mental health by decreasing feelings of loneliness and depression, Kidd and Kidd’s 1999 findings show lowered levels of stress in pet owners, and finally, Wells suggests that companion animals increase self-worth and self-esteem (as cited in Peacock et al., 2012). The following study analyzes the impact companion animals has on a college student’s well-being. Taking into account that suicide and depression are increasingly prevalent on college campuses nationwide (Furr, Westefeld, McConnell, & Jenkins, 2001), researching the dynamics of the animal-human bond and whether or not it can improve the psychological and physical health of stressed college students is important. Previous research on the relationship between companion animals and well-being has resulted in varying and conflicting conclusions. The following studies demonstrate this problem and explain the possible causes for inconsistent results. As Peacock states, a reason for inconsistent results among

However, some issues arise from both studies that future researchers should consider. One issue being that people who are healthy without a pet dog may be rewarding themselves by owning a pet dog. Thus, this already healthy person could be healthy regardless of owning a pet or not. Another issue that future researchers could investigate is how close in attachment one has to be with the pet dog to experience any positive effects. The second study inspected attempted to do this, but was unable to, due to a small sample size of unattached owners. Nevertheless, the two studies examined did demonstrate high correlations between someone owning a pet dog and having higher health than someone without a pet dog. Thus, due to dogs aiding in their owners health and providing much happiness, dogs have earned the title of “man’s best

Research shows that dogs do in fact reduce blood pressure and heart rate when simply petting them. Even stressed out college students show significant results from just interacting with dogs and having their stress and anxiety reduced. This is something I actually did myself in college when I became stressed with finals, so I would go to one of the animal rescue shelters and help out with the dogs and it really did help me maintain my stress. When it comes to people and their four legged friend they are getting health benefits from their due to the way that connection and bond between dogs and humans can help humans relax and relieve stress. “Most people who have companion animals consider them members of the family. Unlike humans

In the article “How Nature Resets Our Minds and Bodies” Alter makes a point that “Researchers have found that patients enjoy a wide range of benefits like lower blood pressure, lower pulse rates and a maker of reduced stress. Natural environments promote calmness and well-being in part because they expose people to low levels of stress”. And in the article “ pets and Health: The Impact of companion Animals” Casciotti makes a point that “These finding suggest that the social support a pet provides can make a person feel more relaxed and decreased stress”. It is true because patient benefit from the therapy dogs. The therapy dogs take less stress. It makes the patient take exercise to reduce the blood pressure and stress. Also having a pet is really a huge effect on the health, both physical and mentally. It helps with depression by lowering the stress level. And also the natural environment can help too from workplaces. And also you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you will be a better place to handle life’s stressors. For example, my aunt have a therapy dog and she been complaining lately that she stress up and her blood pressure high. So one day, she went to see her doctor and he told her to relaxed and be taking exercises. Since that day, she and her dog been going for walk. And now she’s relax

One of the most common mental illnesses is anxiety, and it affects over 40 million people around the world. However, simply owning an animal can be life-changing for them. A pet can surprisingly be very powerful, they are capable of greatly reducing anxiousness in many ways. For example, research shows that when you hold or stroke an animal such as a cat or a dog, it significantly lowers stress levels, anxiousness and uneasiness, which helps someone struggling with

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, having a dog can decrease your risks of feeling that way. I have talked to a doctor before about other solutions for depression and anxiety rather than taking prescriptions and putting chemicals in your body and they have told me that having an animal, preferably a dog, can decrease the risks of your anxiety or depression and letting people know this is, I feel, very important.

Effects on mood: A considerable measure of the medical advantages of owning a pet may originate from the mental and enthusiastic advantages. Individuals who have pets are less harried; there's more chuckling in their life (Dr. Becker, n.d.)

Pet adoption brings myriad health benefits. One of these benefits is the loyal companionship of shelter animals. GAWS shelter’s acting chief executive, Mia Shaw states, “There are big positives for a person’s mental and physical wellbeing in adopting a pet – there are so many benefits to adopting a dog or cat, including companionship and friendship” (qtd. in Sum 19). These animals help human beings physically and mentally by providing another incentive to exercise, and by providing a steady companionship. These benefits could potentially save the lives of depressed people and improve the lives of incapacitated people. Inclusively, shelter animals reduce stress and other health-related issues. Rescue cat owner, Lisa Barley notes, “Not only will you benefit from the joys of a furry friend’s unconditional love, but a pet can have a positive impact on your health, from helping you stay physically active to reducing stress and lowering blood pressure” (48). Adopting a pet is much like obtaining a best friend, who will provide unconditional love and support when the person needs it the most. Furthermore, most of the shelter animals are caged for days or even months, resulting in being restricted from social environments. Consequently, these animals end up being friendlier when they are adopted and placed in a steady home, unlike the ones obtained

When people go to the pet store, most of the time it comes down to cats and dogs. Many people debate on which is a better pet: a cat or a dog. There is a saying called “A dog is a man’s best friend”. In 2015, a survey showed that there were at least 11 million more dogs owned than cats in households. Dogs are better pets than cats and they could be a better succor too. Dogs could be a better pet because they provide outstanding safety, they could keep you company for hours and also keep you and your heart healthy.

In society today, it is widely regarded as fact that an ownership of domesticated pets (primarily cats and dogs) leads to a wide range of health benefits. The media idolizes these benefits as improving and increasing both the psychological and physiological health of the owners; yet, there seems to be very little empirical data to suggest that these benefits can be regarded as fact. Typically, any evidence that supports the idea that pets have an absolute positive effect on owners has skewed data or the sample participants’ socio-economic and cultural backgrounds are not considered in-depth (Herzog, 2011). While scientists continue to debate this topic and further research it, more evidence seems to be accruing stating that pets may actually

It is no secret that dogs long ago earned their label as “man’s best friend”. It only makes sense, considering that dogs have been owned by humans since ancient times. Pets are obviously great companions for just about anyone. However, for someone suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder, the companionship of a pet can be the only thing giving them happiness. Dogs are perfect for shy people who still seek

Pets are a great addition to any family. They are very loving and caring creatures that are always there when no one else may be. With their loving personalities and unconditional love they can serve an indispensable role in the family. Pets are very intelligent but a little known fact is that they can serve as help for people with mental health issues. There are many ways that pets can assist in therapy from being a kind face, someone to talk to and can be invaluable to college students.