Thursday, March 13, 2014

Health and Pets



        Health encompasses so many pieces of your life. There is your physical health- how your body operates within the world, mental health- how you think and learn, social health- how you relate to the people around you, and spiritual health-where your strength comes from when you are struggling.  These four areas of health feed into a cycle of improving your overall health or slowly destroying it.

         Your health can also be impacted by things beyond your control.  Animals, and especially pets, are a part of nature that can really impact your health and your outlook on life. And nowhere is that more apparent than when we look at animals within use of the medical field. Service animals are trained to assist the blind, the deaf and epileptics function within our world.  Therapy dogs are used to help children learn to focus in school, with seniors to provide love and affection, and for those in rehab to talk to when they are stressed. Therapy horses are being used to help people who struggle with depression, anxiety, and communication skills. Doctors’ offices often have fish tanks within the waiting rooms in part because watching fish lowers blood pressure and is calming. Senior housing providers (nursing homes and assisted living centers) have become pet-friendly in the last few years as research showed the health benefits of having pets is often intensified with seniors.

          Recently, I took a tour of a local memory center that has taken pet-friendly to a new level. And it thoroughly impressed me. The center had had a fish tank, and allowed residents to bring in their own personal pets for a few years.  In the last few months, they have invested in their own pets as a health benefit to their residents. As of my visit they had a dog, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 2 hamsters, 3 birds, the fish tank, and a beautiful indoor butterfly garden.  I could see the change in the residents as I walked in. They were calmer and more focused. There was laughter as they watched the bunnies. Most didn’t notice the butterflies, but they enjoyed the different flowers within the garden. 

         The director confirmed that her residents were happier, healthier, and calmer as well. And as a benefit so was her staff. The staff no longer ran through the halls. Residents and staff stopped and laughed with each other over the antics of the animals. The discussion I heard that morning over and over was about the intro of the new bunny to the existing bunny. It did not go well! Bunny fights are nasty! But it created an environment of talking about stressors, and the reality of pet ownership, and life. Coworkers were bonding together with each other and their residents. The pets encouraged better social health within this environment.  Talking to the pets helped with emotional health. Walking the dog, petting the cats, watching the fish improves their physical health. The gentleness of their pets contributes to spiritual health and resiliency.

        So what should you take away from this blog? That animals help make us healthy. If you have a pet take a minute to recognize how he/she helps you be healthier. If you don’t have a pet, maybe consider getting one. Do some research before you buy a particular animal. If you are going for a cat or a dog, consider adopting from a local humane society or rescue group. If you want to “try out” dog or cat ownership, consider becoming a foster home for a rescue group, where you keep the animal only for a short period of time. Even a beta fish in a small bowl on your kitchen counter can make you smile and bring you peace. It really doesn't matter your age, pets improve your health. What type of pet would you get to bring a little life into your world? I'd love to know.