To Your Health
February, 2008 (Vol. 02, Issue 02) |
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Many parents worry about their children developing allergies from their furry friend, especially in a family that is allergy-prone. However, evidence suggests pets actually play an important role in building up a child's immune system. Children who live with a cat or dog in their first years of life have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma and are less likely to develop animal-related allergies. Recent studies also suggest that a child's immune system in a pet-owning family is more stable than a child from a non-pet-owning family, boosting the child's ability to fight illness.
Pets and Seniors
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors who own pets have better overall physical and mental health than those who don't. Pet ownership has been shown to combat depression among older people, particularly those experiencing personal stress without adequate social support (such as bereaved people without a human support network). At a minimum, pet ownership may reduce the need for medical care for noncritical problems. Pet owners feel needed and responsible for the survival, health and well-being of their animal. By shifting the focus away from ourselves, pets help us feel connected to a larger world.
Many hospitals and retirement homes offer patients animal therapy programs, with pet-owning volunteers taking time to bring their dogs to entertain and comfort patients. Introducing animals in institutional settings encourages seniors to smile and talk more, reach out to people and objects, and stay alert. While elderly people often are isolated or avoided, evidence suggests they benefit from a companion dog, not only for the companionship itself but because both friends and strangers are more likely to socially engage with the person with a dog present. Research also strongly suggests pet programs produce greater psychosocial benefits than other types of therapies such as friendly visitor programs, arts and craft programs, and conventional psychotherapy.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Beyond children and seniors, the therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained popularity in recent years for a wide variety of patients - people with AIDS, cancer or mental illness, prison inmates, and many others. Therapy animals visit these individuals, who are encouraged to pet, interact and play with them. Often, scientists and researchers report immediate improvement in physical health and mental well-being from animal-assisted therapy. All types of animals have been used for therapeutic purposes, ranging from the familiar (dogs and cats) to the exotic (dolphins and elephants).
One of the most popular and effective types of pet therapy is equine-assisted psychotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding). "Therapeutic riding" enhances both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals because it incorporates horseback riding skills and gymnastic exercises for emotional, cognitive and sensorimotor benefits. Patients with movement disorders learn better posture, balance, mobility and function.
Another common animal-assisted therapy uses dogs to rehabilitate prisoners. One project in Oregon showed that 100 percent of teenage offenders following a dog therapy program did not return to the correctional system. The troubled teens, who exhibited behavioral problems such as resistance to authority and poor social manners, were paired with problem dogs to learn acceptable behavior from each other. Another project matches inmates with dogs in a 10-week course that teaches the dogs basic commands and house-training. While human-human interactions can be complex, stressful and unpredictable, human-animal connections provide a constant source of comfort and acceptance. The inmates forge close bonds with their dogs and gain experience caring for others while learning responsibility, patience, compassion and a strong work ethic.
Is a Pet Right for You?
Although dogs and cats are the most common choices, a therapeutic benefit is available with any type of animal - birds, fish, rodents, reptiles - as long as it is of interest to you. The most important criterion is that you choose a pet that suits your temperament, living space and lifestyle.
In recent years, cats have replaced dogs as America's most popular pet, no doubt due to the fact that cats are easier to care for. While dogs have to be walked outside, cats are content to lounge indoors. If you have children under six years old, an adult cat is a better choice than a kitten. Cats can live to around 20 years of age so be sure you're ready for a long-term commitment.
