Pets Are More Than Cute Companions—They Literally Help Us Stay Alive In 7 Ways
This one's for all the fur mamas and papas out there!
No, it's not an exaggeration.
Our dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, hedgehogs, birds, fish, reptiles, and other domesticated animal companions really do have the potential to be, or already are, lifesavers, and that's a claim backed by science.
They do more than do adorable tricks to earn treats, paw at us for belly rubs or ear scratches, or make us laugh with their silly antics (however, mood-boosting benefits of pets are part of how they contribute so much to our well-being). Pets and other animals contribute to our physical, social, emotional, and mental wellness, which makes them truly one-of-a-kind companions at a time like this.
So many people from all parts of the world can attest to this, so much so that there's a week-long holiday dedicate to the shared sentiment: Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
The holiday extends our appreciation to all animals that accompany humans—be they house pets, or animals used in agriculture, transportation, guarding, and even sport—which makes it all the more important to give our furry and scaly friends the recognition they deserve.
The next time you're told by the select unfortunates in your life that have never experienced the love of an animal firsthand, have this information on hand to give your personal testimony some scientific meat. We'll fight anyone who argues with us!
Kidding aside, make sure to scroll through the gallery below where we highlight some of the most relevant and relatable ways that pets and other animals have helped humans for as long as their relationships have existed!
the benefits of pet companionship, according to science
the benefits of pet companionship, according to science
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#1: Aside from actually getting sick with COVID-19, one of the pandemic's worst health side effects is loneliness and anxiety. This is especially true for people who live alone or have had to be away from their loved ones for extended amounts of time and have had to deal with the emotional and mental consequences of quarantine on their own. Pets are great company and aren't just second best; they are family and immediate "loved ones" for many of us, and at a time like this, the affection they give us through the forms of wagging tails, exciting meowing, licking, pawing, and even unbroken, sparkly gazes is priceless.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#2: They keep you active. Granted, not all pets are designed for walking/jogging/strolling, but majority of (responsible) dog owners will surely agree to this. Even for the least physically active of us, we can't deny that dogs need walks at least once a day, every day, and when they can't go for walks for whatever reason, indoor mental stimulation is still a necessity. And because our dogs need to stay active, we're forced to lead them in said walk/jog/stroll/series of indoor mind games! We shouldn't be annoyed. We should be thanking them because it work both ways. You think it's only your doggo getting the workout? You are, too, and your body rejoices for it.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#3: They give a sense of structure to our days. This is especially important for those working from home and feel like they're going crazy from finding ways to make the most out of their day. Pet owners (or even people caring for larger domesticated animals like those in farms) know very well that their animals need a fixed schedule to feel secure and happy. They wake up and go to bed at practically the same times, they adhere to a feeding schedule, and for indoor animals, they go on potty breaks at fixed intervals. This actually helps put our minds at ease; it's comforting to know that our day revolves around some kind of structure, one that we lost the lines between working, lounging, weekends and weekdays, eating and being productive were blurred by mandatory home quarantine.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#4: They are living stress reducers. The very act of stroking the soft, silky fur (or feathers or scales) of your animal companion has shown signs of reducing anxiety. The same action has been shown to effectively lower blood pressure during a particular stressful situation (hello, COVID) and invite a sense of calm to take over. Stroke your pets and animals BFFs as often and as much as you like these days. You'll find that you'll both enjoy it.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#5: They teach us mindfulness. And in the context of learning from our pets, that means not worrying about things we cannot control. How many of us have spent days and nights freaking out about next week, next month, or even next year? We've lost sleep and ruined our moods due to anxiety over the uncontrollable, but there's our beloved pet right next to us, happy regardless of a raging pandemic. It is, of course, mostly due to them being animals and not having to worry about paying the bills, but in this conversation, we're interpreting it as learning how to live in the moment, especially when things that scare you are things that are out of your hands. Worry about things you have the capacity to change - leave behind the rest that you cannot and instead, have a good old fashioned cuddle with your animal buddy lovingly looking at you now as we speak.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#6: They help build children's immune systems. One of the biggest worries of parents with young children these days is that their kids aren't going to get to experience much of the outdoors at a formative age. It's not that they won't get to play at playgrounds; they might also miss out on the chance to develop immunities to common diseases and allergies that only comes by spending time outside. As good consolation, studies have found that bringing in an animal inside the home (or even growing up within the vicinity of farm animals) has shown to help young kids develop a stronger immune system and protect them from some diseases.
Happy Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week!
#7: They help keep us connected. This was more applicable in pre-COVID times, but staying connected thanks to a pet can still happen in isolation. If, in the past, walking your cute dog got you talking with a cute girl/guy along the way who asked about said cute dog, that can still happen these days - online. People who own pets and post about them on social media are more likely to have, and enjoy, conversations with others during this difficult time. It goes unsaid that the conversation isn't limited to talks about pets and animals, but about anything, really. It doesn't even have to be a romantic thing; sharing a lighthearted conversation with friends, family, and even colleagues these days is a precious moment, even more so when the conversation opens up the opportunity to ask and be asked "How are you?"
Images from Pexels and Unsplash