Pets are Good for our Emotional and Physical Health
Are you thinking of adding a pet to your family? Recent research by M Becker, the author of “The Healing Power of Pets,” includes the following interesting findings regarding the effect pets have on our daily lives:
Children and pets:
- Children who help raise animals score higher in empathy, nurturing, cognitive development, IQ scores, and reading scores, social development and motor skills than children who do not help raise animals.
- Children 3-6 years old report that 61% of the dreams feature animals
- Children reading a book experience their blood pressure going down after an animal has entered the room, even without the child knowing the animal was there.
Seniors and pets:
- Seniors with pets have fewer doctor’s visits: 50% fewer minor medical problems within 1 month of acquiring a pet
- Seniors who own cats or dogs are more physically active longer in life
- Senior pet owners walk longer distances than non-owners, and have lower triglycerides
- Seniors with pets report less dissatisfaction with their social, physical and emotional state
- Senior non-dog owners talked primarily about the past, dog-owners about the present
If you or someone in your family is considering getting a pet please think of us a resource for advice on what type of pet might be the right fit. Please keep in mind, there are many pets in need of a home at our local animal shelters.
You can visit them online at:
http://www.pawsadoption.org/
http://www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org/
PenBay Veterinary Associates is a proud member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). For more information please visit www.penbayvets.com or call 594-8300.
We invite you to visit and “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/penbayvets
"When they are more than pets, choose PenBay Vets"