can pets improve mental health? payton & lauren 6 th period
TRANSCRIPT
CAN PETS IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?
Payton & Lauren
6th period
WHAT HAS RESEARCH SHOWN?
Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those
without pets
People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations
Playing with a cat or dog can help people become relaxed
Pet owners have lower cholesterol levels
Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those who
don’t
Pet owners over age 65 make 30% fewer visits to their doctors
then those without pets
AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE
If you have complicated relationships in your life having a pet to be
there will reduce tension and improve mood by letting feelings out
and getting a positive response. Between the pet and yourself there
will be no hurt feelings and you wont get advice you don’t want
The responsibilities of having to take care of these animals can
actually add a positive focus to your life
Physical activity is obviously an improvement to many aspects to
your life including your mental health. For example, if you own a
dog, taking it on a walk can improve the mental aspect of your life
AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE
The act of a routine helps people who struggle with depression.
Feeding, grooming, and walks can take your mind off of you
problems and help you stay on track with your life
A part of depression is withdrawal from people. Having a pet
means you’re never alone and therefore, you have an act of
companionship with an animal
Pets are natural icebreakers. If you’re taking your pet on a walk,
somebody may ask about the animal, sparking up a conversation.
Pets can gradually push you to have more social interaction
AREAS SHOWN TO IMPROVE
According to studies, physical contact with others
have showed it helps peoples’ feelings. So having a
cat or dog on your lap to just lay and pet will
improve the way you feel
Owning a dog can lower blood pressure, reduce
stress hormones, and boost feel good chemicals in
the brain, therefore better health. A Chinese woman
who owned a dog reported better sleep, fewer sick
days, and more exercise.
EXAMPLE
Viola is a retired guide dog that is a resident
canine at the Children’s Inn. This is a place where
families stay when their children are undergoing
experimental therapies. Violas job is too greet
families as they come downstairs in the morning and
as they return from treatment in the afternoon.
Dogs like viola have helped launch a new field of
medical research over the past three decades.