Our furry family members
The benefits from animals in our lives are without question. The bonds between humans and animals are powerful. And the positive correlation between pets and mental health is undeniable.
According to a 2015 Harris poll, 95 percent of pet owners think of their animal as a member of the family. And that’s true no matter how old we are. Children, adolescents, adults, and seniors all find joy in their pets. Therefore, pets and mental health go hand in hand.
Furthermore, research validates the benefits of pets for mental health. The mental health benefits of owning a cat or a dog have been proven by many scientific studies. Animals help with depression, anxiety and stress. In addition they provide companionship and ease loneliness. Moreover, pets bring us joy and unconditional love.
In first research on pets and mental health over 30 years ago, psychologist Alan Beck and psychiatrist Aaron Katcher of the university of Penn. conducted the study. Therefore. they measured what happens to the body when a person pets a friendly dog.
Here’s what they found:
- Blood pressure went down
- Heart rate slowed
- Breathing became more regular
- Muscle tension relaxed
Gracefully Calm 