The weekends take me and my partner north of the city to a place overlooking the Alexander Valley. It's a beautiful morning, one of those Saturday mornings where I can hear the sound of dogs, sheep, horses, goats and roosters from the valley below. Oddly enough, the roosters greet every hour and random minute--not just the dawn--with gusto and abandon.
Close by it would feel like a noisy intrusion. Somehow, in the near distance, it's reassuring that we're not alone on the planet.
Aside from this personal observation (as well as a long and mostly satisfying relationship with George and Gracie, our cats), there is scientific data to support the therapeutic benefits of having pets. Studies have found that human-animal relationships can positively affect mood and health, instill healthy lifestyle changes, and play an important role in healthy aging.
Improved mood and health. Recent studies have shown:
*Pet owners survive heart attacks longer than non-pet owners
*If you have a pet, you're less likely to suffer from depression
*Pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure in stressful situations
*Pet play can increase dopamine levels in the blood, which can help you feel calmer and more relaxed
* Pet owners have lower blood indicators of heart disease (lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels).
We can attribute many of the health benefits of pet ownership to the power of touch. Stroking or holding an animal can actually provide a calming effect in times of stress. Interaction with our pets is a way we can express--and receive--affection. Some of our furry friends require physical activity, which can motivate us to move with them. And some forms of vigorous exercise are known mood elevators.
Pets and healthy lifestyle changes. As I mentioned above, pets can help motivate us to exercise. Dog-walking and house play with your cat are two simple ways to get off the couch.
Caring for your pet can also help you feel less isolated and more needed. When you focus on your pet, you are taking your mind off of your troubles and providing nurture for another living thing. The companionship of a pet can reduce anxiety and stress while providing company and comfort. For those who feel life lacks purpose, many pet care regimens provide structure and purpose on a daily basis.
And, if you've ever visited a dog park you know that walking your dog is a great way to socialize with other animal lovers.
Pets and healthy aging. As we grow older, we often become less connected to others. We retire, our children move away, health concerns make us less mobile, and, inevitably, we begin to lose friends and family members to death.
In older age, making new friends can be difficult. As mentioned above, a dog can be a great new friend for you, and can also provide a pathway to new friends.
Dogs and other pets also encourage movement, playfulness, exercise and even laughter (just add one kitten to one roll of toilet paper and you'll see what I mean).
And, in a life that may feel less and less meaningful at times, the responsibility of a pet and its care can not only provide renewed sense of purpose, but also increased morale and optimism.
Like many joys, pets require commitment and responsibility. Before you decide to add a pet to your life, consider the following:
* While a pet can be playful, it's not a plaything. All pets require daily care and attention. Feeding, walking, litter box care--they all take time and when you neglect these tasks you're neglecting a living being.
* While pets keep on giving, they also keep on costing. Money. Pet maintenance--food, licenses, spaying and neutering, vet care, boarding fees--can amount to significant sums of money. Be sure you're willing and able to make this commitment before taking on the responsibility of a pet.
* Adorable pets can do deplorable damage. Despite all your best efforts at training your pets, occasionally they can shred, tear, soil and otherwise damage your furniture, rugs, walls, clothing and virtually anything you leave unattended. You need to consider: pets are not humans and don't understand why we value the items we value. They will encroach on our territory and our things.
* Some pets carry health risks. The most common health problem associated with pets is allergies. The time to find out about pet allergies is before you take on pet ownership, not after. And for some older adults, it will be important to match your stamina, mobility and stability to the right pet.
After all that, you may be wincing and saying to yourself, Well, why bother? Any pet owner can tell you why. And, I began all this with the notion that pets make good therapists. If for no other reason, pets, like a good therapist, listen to us without judgement. Yes, while some pet owners won't admit it, most of us talk to our pets. We ask them how they feel, if they like their food, and confide in them about our day.
The therapeutic part? They listen without reservation. They don't judge or offer advice we may not want. They don't take sides or provide rationales that make our reasoning seem lame. They simply listen. They entertain us. They provide good company.
And wait for the next scratch behind the ears.
Until next time, thanks for listening.
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