The Benefits of Pets for Human Health
Animals play an important role in many people's lives. In addition to dogs with eyes and dogs that can be trained to detect attacks, animals can also be used in occupational therapy, speech therapy or physical rehabilitation to help patients recover. [1] In addition to these designated therapeutic roles, animals are also evaluated as companions, which can certainly influence the quality of our life. Is this activity good for our health?
The better we understand the relationship between humans and animals, the more we can use them to improve people's lives. This article summarizes what is and what is not known about how animals help improve people's health and well-being and what can be the consequences for helping people who do not. pets. Over 71 million American families (62%) have pets [2] and most people consider their pets family members [3]. Some studies have shown that people with pets have a healthier heart, stay less at home, visit the doctor less, exercise more and are less depressed. Pets can also have a significant impact on allergies, asthma, social support and social interactions with other people.
Impact on physical health
Pets can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rate during stressful situations. In a 2002 study, the researchers measured changes in heart rate and blood pressure in people who had a dog or cat, compared to those who didn't, when the participants were stressed out about a timed math task). At the beginning of the experiment, people with a dog or cat had a lower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure than owners of non-domestic animals. People with a dog or cat were also less likely to have a peak heart rate and blood pressure while performing mathematical activity and their heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal more quickly. They also made fewer miscalculations when their pet was in the room. [4] All of these findings indicate that having a dog or cat reduces the risk of heart disease, as well as stress to improve performance.
A similar study found that having a dog in the room reduces blood pressure better than taking a popular type of blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor) when stressed. [5] Other research has shown that stroking a pet can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol [6].
Exposure of children to pets can also reduce anxiety. In one study, for example, blood pressure, heart rate and behavioral problems were measured in healthy children aged 3 to 6 years during two different medical examinations for routine checks. During a visit, a dog (not related to the child) was present in the room and the other was absent during the other visit. When the dog was present, the children had lower blood pressure measurements, a lower heart rate and fewer behavioral problems. [7] However, research on the health benefits of the interaction between children and animals is still limited. More research is needed on how pets influence children's development and specific health outcomes.
The results suggest that social support provided by a pet can make a person more relaxed and reduce stress [8]. The social support of friends and family can have similar benefits, but interpersonal relationships often cause stress, while pets are less likely to cause stress. The social support of pets can also encourage greater social interaction with people, reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness. For example, it has been discovered that walking with a dog increases social interaction, especially with strangers, compared to walking without a dog. [9]
In the elderly, even having pets can be an important source of social support that promotes well-being. In one study, the elders they had
The better we understand the relationship between humans and animals, the more we can use them to improve people's lives. This article summarizes what is and what is not known about how animals help improve people's health and well-being and what can be the consequences for helping people who do not. pets. Over 71 million American families (62%) have pets [2] and most people consider their pets family members [3]. Some studies have shown that people with pets have a healthier heart, stay less at home, visit the doctor less, exercise more and are less depressed. Pets can also have a significant impact on allergies, asthma, social support and social interactions with other people.
Impact on physical health
Pets can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rate during stressful situations. In a 2002 study, the researchers measured changes in heart rate and blood pressure in people who had a dog or cat, compared to those who didn't, when the participants were stressed out about a timed math task). At the beginning of the experiment, people with a dog or cat had a lower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure than owners of non-domestic animals. People with a dog or cat were also less likely to have a peak heart rate and blood pressure while performing mathematical activity and their heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal more quickly. They also made fewer miscalculations when their pet was in the room. [4] All of these findings indicate that having a dog or cat reduces the risk of heart disease, as well as stress to improve performance.
A similar study found that having a dog in the room reduces blood pressure better than taking a popular type of blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor) when stressed. [5] Other research has shown that stroking a pet can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol [6].Exposure of children to pets can also reduce anxiety. In one study, for example, blood pressure, heart rate and behavioral problems were measured in healthy children aged 3 to 6 years during two different medical examinations for routine checks. During a visit, a dog (not related to the child) was present in the room and the other was absent during the other visit. When the dog was present, the children had lower blood pressure measurements, a lower heart rate and fewer behavioral problems. [7] However, research on the health benefits of the interaction between children and animals is still limited. More research is needed on how pets influence children's development and specific health outcomes.
The results suggest that social support provided by a pet can make a person more relaxed and reduce stress [8]. The social support of friends and family can have similar benefits, but interpersonal relationships often cause stress, while pets are less likely to cause stress. The social support of pets can also encourage greater social interaction with people, reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness. For example, it has been discovered that walking with a dog increases social interaction, especially with strangers, compared to walking without a dog. [9]
In the elderly, even having pets can be an important source of social support that promotes well-being. In one study, the elders they had
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