Pet Therapy: Top 10 Reasons for Improved Health through the Human-Animal Bond

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” — Ben Williams

Isn’t that the truth? The bond between humans and our pets runs long and deep, cherished for centuries. Yes, we’re so aware of the infinite joy (in between doing their business on the rug or getting into the laundry), their constant companionship, and the unconditional love they bring into our lives. The numerous health benefits associated with the human-animal bond also are far-reaching. Let’s look at my Top 10 benefits for us…and them, in honor of International Human Animal Bond Day.

1. Reduced Stress: Interacting with pets has been shown to lower stress levels by reducing the production of stress hormones, like cortisol. While cortisol is an important hormone for things like increasing glucose in the bloodstream, enhancing the brain’s use of glucose and increasing the availability of substances in the body that repair tissues, among other things, chronic high levels of cortisol is very unhealthy and eventually breaks the body down. Petting a dog or cat can lead to an immediate sense of calm and relaxation, making it an effective way to manage daily stressors. And, this is true for the dog or cat, too. Interacting with their beloved human calms them, decreases anxiety which helps lower cortisol in the body. This helps to decrease inflammation, the precursor to all dis-ease.
2. Improved Mental Health: The companionship of pets can help combat feelings of loneliness and depression. Many studies have shown that people with pets are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression and often report higher overall levels of happiness. This is especially true of GenZ, who experience higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicide than any other generation. Their pets are a lifeline; a non-judgmental being they can connect with emotionally and who can also act as a bridge to better relationships with humans in their lives. For us all, that unconditional love in a tough world is just what the doctor ordered. Love is the most powerful medicine and has cured many ills. A loved, secure, happy dog or cat is a healthier animal.
3. Enhanced Physical Activity: Pets, particularly dogs, encourage physical activity through walking, running, and playing. This increased exercise can help improve cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
4. Lower Blood Pressure: The presence of a pet can have a calming effect, which, in turn, can lead to reduced blood pressure. Lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart disease and promote overall cardiovascular health. In a study of 240 married couples, those with a cat or dog had lower heart rate and blood pressure levels than those who didn’t have pets. (Cleveland HeartLabs)  “Several studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure than non-owners — probably because their pets have a calming effect on them and because dog owners tend to get more exercise. The power of touch also appears to be an important part of this ‘pet effect.’ Several studies show that blood pressure goes down when a person pets a dog.” (Harvard Health)
5. Social Interaction: Having a pet can lead to increased social interactions with fellow pet parents. This social aspect can help combat feelings of isolation and build a sense of community, further supporting mental health. This aspect, too, is so important for GenZ, where loneliness and a feeling of isolation is at epidemic levels. This bridge a pet provides to creating human relationships is so critical.  “An astonishing 92% of Gen Z pet owners claim that having pets help them reduce their own stress, loneliness, and anxiety.  Almost half (46%) of Gen Z pet owners also shared that having pets makes them feel safer.” (Segmanta.com)
6. Enhanced Immune System: Exposure to pets, especially in childhood, can strengthen the immune system by promoting the development of antibodies. This may reduce the risk of allergies and asthma. Pets can also strengthen our immune system because of how they affect our stress response and how more stress weakens the immune system. In addition, the Vagus Nerve, the longest nerve in the body of both humans and animals, is the hotline between the brain and gut. Since 80% of one of the happy hormones, serotonin, is produced in the gut for people and dogs/cats, and the bulk of the immune system resides in the gut, feeling happier is a known immune system booster for us and our pets.
7. Pain Management: The simple act of being near a beloved pet has been shown to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. This can be especially beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic pain. “Research at the University of Lincoln, UK, found that dogs, ‘can recognize emotions in humans by combining information from different senses.’ Your dog recognizes when you’re sad or in pain by facial recognition and body language, but the most interesting sense they use is smell. Dogs are good at detecting cancers and illnesses before they become diagnosed by smelling the chemicals in your blood through body odor and breath.  In the same way, when you’re in pain, dogs can smell the chemicals of your elevated cortisol levels (stress hormones) and your low serotonin levels (feel-good hormones), and compare them with how you normally smell.  What they do with that information differs by dog, and some dogs make it a personal mission to change it.” (ToothandHoney.com) I always found this amazing about our pets. Their intuitive intelligence is astounding!
8. Improved Sleep: Having a pet in the bedroom can provide a sense of security and comfort, leading to better sleep quality. Some studies suggest that the rhythmic sound of a cat’s purring or a dog’s heartbeat can be soothing and promote deeper sleep. That, of course, is unless you have a dog like my Ani, who will growl unexpectedly in the middle of the night, waking me up, when Suki, our cat decides to jump on the bed.
9. Stress Resilience: People with pets often exhibit greater resilience in the face of stress and adversity. The responsibility of caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and structure in one’s life, helping individuals better cope with challenging situations. I know personally, I’m a momma bear and, since my daughter, Morgan, is grown and long out of the house, my animals have filled that hole. Caring for them gives purpose to my life and allows me to continue to be a nurturer. That helps me put stressors in their place better because I have bigger picture responsibilities to fulfill.
10. Emotional Support: Pets have a remarkable ability to sense their parent’s emotional state and provide unconditional love and support. This emotional connection can be a source of comfort during difficult times, such as loss or trauma. How many stories have we heard about pets who won’t leave their parents’ side when they’re upset or really hurting. They are like our rock, standing by us through thick and thin.

The human-animal bond is a beautiful relationship that enriches our lives in so many ways. Beyond the love and companionship they provide, our pets offer significant health benefits, from reducing stress and lowering blood pressure to enhancing mental and emotional well-being. We can nurture this wonderful connection and promote the well-being of our furry friends, so we can both lead healthier, happier, more vibrant lives together. Experiencing the transformative power of the human-animal bond can be life-changing. I know my life wouldn’t be nearly as rich without it. Happy International Human Animal Bond Day! ❤️  🐾  ❤️

Jody