Have you ever noticed that you feel better when you're around your pet?
Spending quality time with a dog, a cat or other animal can have a positive impact on your mood and your health. Pets can be calming stress-fighters.
"It has been found that pet owners, on average, were better off than non-owners, especially when they have a higher-quality relationship with their pets," says pet researcher Allen R. McConnell, PhD., Professor of Psychology at Miami University. "What makes a meaningful relationship varies from person to person. For some active people, playing ball or frisbee in the park, for others who can’t get outside, just petting your dog can help you feel connected. Pets can help you in other ways, too.
A Healthier Heart
Your dog may make you less likely to get heart disease. Dog owners walk more and have lower blood pressure than people who don't have dogs. Pets can also be good for you if you already have heart problems.
Studies show, heart attack survivors and people with serious abnormal heart rhythms who own dogs live longer than people with the same heart problems who don't have pets.
Stress Soothers
Petting your cat or your dog feels good. It helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone. It also soothes your pet, says Alan Beck, Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University.
Social Magnets
Pets, especially dogs, can help you connect with other people. "If I saw you walking down the street, I couldn't comfortably start talking to you if I didn't know you, but I could if you had a dog," Beck says. "It's an acceptable interaction that otherwise wouldn't be possible."
People who use wheelchairs say that other people make eye contact with them more often and ask if they can be of help when they're with their dogs, Beck says.
Better Mood, More Meaning
People with pets are generally happier, more trusting, and less lonely than those who don't have pets. They also visit the doctor less often for minor problems. One reason for that may be that your pet gives you a sense of belonging and meaning. "You feel like you have greater control of your life."
Being a pet owner myself, I never feel alone as my pets are always there for me. When I was home recovering from breast cancer surgery, my pets never left my side. When I leave the house they are always at the door waiting for me to return. When I raised my children we always had pets including horses. Now that they are married they all have pets.
If you do not have a pet than perhaps you might consider raising a puppy for the Canine Support Teams!
One of my Menifee Nafe members, Lynne Hartung and her husband John are raising one of the dogs. They know that before too long their dog that they have trained and loved will be helping someone in need.
Check out the Canine Support Teams website on how you too could become a Puppy Raiser. Learn more about all their programs and/or to donate as they can always use funds.
Contact Sally Wing, Marketing Director at 951-3013625 located at 26500 Scott Road, Menifee, Ca.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Website: http://caninesupportteams.org/.
