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.
