Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy and Veterinary Service

As anyone who has ever loved a companion animal can tell you, pets make people feel good.   In the past, however, there was no scientific evidence to back this up.   Well now there is.  Studies done in the last decade have proven that owning pets can be beneficial to human health in many ways.

As The Center for Disease Control’s website states, owning pets can lower people’s blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as provide opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization.

There are other benefits as well.  A 2002 study released by the American Medical Association stated that children raised from birth in multiple pet households may be less likely to develop allergic illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and eczema.  Apparently, being exposed to the “germs” of dogs and cats early in life helps build the immune system.

A foundation called the Delta Society focuses exclusively on harnessing the power of the human-animal health connection.  Their mission is to unite Americans with mental and physical illnesses and disabilities with trained therapy animals.  A comprehensive collection of studies related to the health benefits of pet ownership can be found on their website (www.deltasociety.org).  These studies show that pets have helped people cope with a myriad of issues, from trauma to attachment disorders to autism.

Although veterinarians have probably always intuitively known that animals do people good,   The American Veterinary Medical Association now recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond, and has issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people.

So, pet owners take heart – the next time you wince at Rover’s vet bill or plop down a $50 bill for that kitty condo, look at it not only as a sign that you are a responsible pet owner, but as insurance for your future health.

People love having pets. They are loyal friends that have comforted people for years. But did you know that having a pet can actually benefit your health? For the past 25 years, research has shown that people that live with pets tend to be healthier than those who do not. Pets have been proven to do a number of things to help improve your health – including lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and even improving mood.

The Calming Effect

Pets help keep people healthy and active both physically and mentally. Research has reported finding pet owners to be less stressed than non-pet owners. People with less stress tend to also be more physically healthy. For example, pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and be at a lower risk for heart disease.

One study done at the New York State University at Buffalo studied 48 male and female stock brokers who suffered from high blood pressure and no other medical disorders. The participants all lived alone with no pet for at least five years. Half of the participants were given a pet to take home and the other half were not. After six months, researchers found that the group of stockbrokers that now had pets also had significantly lower blood pressure than the stockbrokers that did not.

Allergy Fighters

Many people worry that if they bring a pet into a home where there are allergy-prone children, the children will be more likely to develop a pet allergy. However, recent studies have proved just the opposite. Children who grow up in homes with animals tend to be less likely to develop allergies and asthma. The results of one study claimed that children growing up with a dog were 14 percent less likely to develop pet allergies. They were also less likely to develop eczema, a common skin allergy. Researchers suggest that this may prove that pets help boost childrens’ immune systems.

Alleviating Loneliness

Dogs have proved to be great companions for the elderly. Even if the dog is just a walking partner, they provide exercise and companionship for its owner. Research has also shown that Alzheimer patients that have pets tend to have fewer anxious outbursts. One insurance company even asks its clients over 75 if they have a pet as part of their screening process.

Pets have also been proven to help people with depression and diseases that commonly cause depression. For example, people with AIDS who have pets reportedly have lower levels of depression. Playing with a pet can raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These are neurotransmitters that are known to have a pleasurable and calming effect on the body.

While it has always been known that having a pet can be enjoyable, it is now also known that pets benefit your health. If you are debating if owning a pet is a good idea, use your health as a reason why a pet may be the best new addition to your life!