Emotional & Psychological Benefits

Lassie's popularity proves that most people can relate to the emotional aspect of the human animal bond. Think fo your experience of being touched by an animal: feeling comforted when lonely, appeased when angry, or consoled when sad. Even children recognize the benefits of having an animal companion; a study of children between the ages of three and 14 reported that 85% said they regard their pets as friends, 40% said they would look for their pet if they were bored, and 40% turned to their pet if they were upset. Studies show that the everyday psychological highs and lows we all go through are often tempered by the presence of a pet. For instance:

• Pet owners have lower blood pressure, and having a pet decreases stress and anxiety levels
• Older women with cats report feeling less lonely than those without pets
• Children with pets fare better at school because they are more motivated
• Caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease or brain injuries often show less stress and better psychological health if they have a pet at home

Psychological Benefits

Pets offer more than just stress relief. Sometimes, saving a life can go beyond the physical realm. Pets who save lives can do so by helping those suffering from mental illness or simply going through a hard time. People experiencing depression, grief, or emotional trauma often find their pets to be a beacon of hope, a steady friend to stand by them through the difficult times.

The therapeutic value of pets for those suffering from mental illness is now so widely-accepted that the federal Fair Housing Act, as well as many municipal laws, such as the New York City Civil Rights Law, require that a housing provider allow people with mental disabilities, like chronic depression, to keep pets in their home. Pets that provide emotional support for the mentally ill are treated like assistance animals: a veritable necessity to the everyday well-being of their owners. Psychiatrists have even appeared in court to testify on behalf of their patients' need to have their pets live with them due to the significant mental health benefits offered by the pets' unconditional love.

Here at The Animal Medical Center, we have seen and experienced firsthand the transformative power of the human animal bond. Through our Pet Outreach Program, amazing changes occur in people exposed to companion animals.