Helping with loneliness
A report indicated that an elderly owning a pet can have an astounding effect on feelings of loneliness comparing to those who don’t keep one. The positive influence is more obvious in solitary elderly as pets can help increasing social interaction.
Stress relief
A Swedish study found that when a female simply pets a dog for 15-30 minutes, it lowers the stress hormone cortisol. And when a dog owner pets their dog for 1-5 minutes, oxytocin increases in the brain, bringing a calm state.
Lower risk of heart disease
《Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology》, after a 20-year case study research, announces that keeping a cat can lower the risk of heart disease. Some thought that maybe cats can help the owners to relax and unwind, thus maintaining normal blood pressure.
Keeping your mind sharp
An American aging medical journal realised that seniors living with pets will increase self-care, including concentration, better memory recall and reactions.
Getting more exercises
Owning a dog leads to more exercises and it benefits humans’ health. Michigan State University’s study showed that the dog owners exercise 30 minutes more than people who don’t own a dog.
Soothing physical pain
Being with a pet can help to distract one from pain. Research shows that animal therapy reduces the need for pain medication after taking joint replacement surgery.
Lower risk of allergies
Some studies found that having a pet early in life protects one from developing allergies towards pets later on. But it has to be very early in life, like when one is still a baby!
Help diagnosing diseases
Studies indicated that dogs can detect serious intestinal diseases at an early stage. They can be trained to sniff out a variety of cancer types as well.
