Nothing makes a dog-lover feel better after a long day than their dog’s smiling face and wagging tail. And the unconditional love you may experience when your cat entwines itself affectionately around your legs can help lift your mood after a long day. Some pet owners may tell you how their beloved animals have helped influence their well-being.
Numerous studies indicate that companion animal ownership is associated with a range of physical, psychological and social health advantages. Examples of the health related benefits of pet ownership are:
Health benefit | Benefits to owners | Patients most affected |
---|---|---|
Physical health | Cardiovascular health
|
Adults and the elderly, in particular those who are stressed, and/or have cardiovascular disease |
Physical fitness (primarily for dog owners)
|
All ages, particularly those who are physically unfit or overweight | |
Immune system development
|
Children | |
Psychological health | Animal assisted therapy (AAT)
|
People of all ages with various disorders |
Mental health
|
Adults (particularly during times of stress or loss of a loved one), the elderly, socially isolated, chronically ill (physical or mental) or those with a terminal illness, and/or physical impairment | |
Child development
|
Children and adolescents | |
Social health | Pets as social enablers
|
People living alone and/or those having difficulty meeting |
(Royal Australian College of General Practitioner http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/june/the-pet-effect/)
If you are considering owning a pet why not visit your local Rescue Shelter.
In the City of Armadale you can find