This Is What You Need to Know about How Animals Enhance Human Health

We've made animals are companions for millennia, but their role goes beyond merely providing company. There is tons of research that shows that animals can significantly enhance human health in a variety of ways, including emotional health, physical health, mental health. This article delves into these multifaceted benefits, backed by scientific evidence.

Emotional Health

Owning a pet or otherwise interacting with animals has emotional benefits for people. One of the most well-documented benefits of animal companionship is their ability to reduce our stress and anxiety. Interacting with animals triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and emotional relief. Studies have shown that petting a dog or cat or making eye contact with one may lower your cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone. This helps you feel relaxed and calm.

There are many benefits to stress relief. Interacting with animals has been shown to aid in children’s learning and improve their reading skills. If you are on the autism spectrum or otherwise get overwhelmed by sensory inputs, having a dog to lean against has a positive effect. And for people experiencing symptoms of PTSD, being around animals (even pets that are not therapy animals) can improve everyday functioning.

Pets provide a sense of companionship that combats loneliness. It's especially beneficial for elderly people or people who live alone to interact with animals. Research indicates that pet owners are less likely to experience loneliness and are more likely to engage in social interactions. According to several studies, people who walk their dogs have significantly more conversations with strangers than people who walk alone or not at all.

Animals also provide a sense of autonomy, competence, and self-esteem and their caregivers. Successfully caring for a dependent animal can give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Physical Health

Interacting with animals has also been shown to have many benefits for your physical health, including encouraging physical activity. Owning a pet, particularly a dog, encourages regular physical activity. Dog owners are more likely to go on daily walks and participate in other outdoor activities that can significantly improve your cardiovascular health.

According to the American Heart Association, regular interaction with pets has been associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Although inconclusive, studies suggest that being exposed to animals, especially from a young age, can also strengthen the immune system.

The immune systems of children raised in homes with pets may learn to differentiate between harmless and harmful agents, reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions. This is because pets introduce microorganisms to their households that non-pet-owning homes don’t get exposed to. This protective effect extends into adulthood, highlighting the long-term health benefits of pet ownership.

Dogs can be trained to give advance warning of medical events such as epileptic seizures or diabetic hypoglycemic episodes. This allows the person with the condition or their caregivers to take appropriate action before they’re incapacitated or hurt.

Mental Health

The benefits of animals on our mental health were acknowledged by the psychological profession even before there was empirical evidence of it. They were used to call patients in mental institutions as early as the 18th century. 

Interacting with animals can significantly improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been effective in treating a number of mental health conditions. Therapy dogs are commonly used in hospitals and nursing homes to lift people's spirits and provide comfort.

For individuals with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia, interaction with animals can enhance cognitive function and delay cognitive decline. Animal-assisted activities have been shown to stimulate memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This therapeutic approach makes people happy as well as promoting mental engagement and cognitive health.

Research about the introduction of animals to prisons indicates that caring for abandoned and abused dogs helps people who have been incarcerated develop and maintain social skills such as empathy, honesty, respect for authority, and compassion. Teaching inmates these skills could lead to an improved rate of rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Conclusion

Animals significantly enhance human health by providing emotional support, promoting physical activity, and improving mental health and acuity. Whether through the comforting presence of a pet, the physical exercise of walking a dog, or the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted therapy, the positive impact of animals on human health is profound and well-supported by research. Embracing the companionship of animals can lead to a healthier, happier life.