The Human-Animal Bond

By Meghan Vivo

People all over the world love their pets, often devoting as much time and attention to them as they would a family member. A recent survey of Canadian pet owners revealed that nearly 80 percent of respondents gave their pets holiday or birthday presents and more than 60 percent signed their pets' names on cards or letters. While virtually all pet owners talk to their pets, an astonishing 94 percent spoke to their pets as though they were human, even on the telephone or answering machine.

Good for Your Heart

The link between mind and body permeates every area of life. Relaxation, meditation and stress management have become accepted tools for reducing blood pressure. Research shows the mere presence of a pet reduces resting heart rate and lowers blood pressure. By some accounts, the reduction in blood pressure is equivalent to eating a low-salt diet or cutting back on alcohol consumption. Since pet owners have measurably lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, pet ownership may be one of the best ways to predict the chance of surviving a heart attack.

For most people, stroking a pet or watching fish swim in an aquarium promotes relaxation. In a laboratory study of college students, petting a friendly dog lowered their blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety level. And patients who watched fish in an aquarium in a waiting room before undergoing oral surgery experienced the same reduction in anxiety and discomfort as those who underwent hypnosis prior to surgery.

Better Overall Health

According to researchers, pet owners seem to have better overall health than non-pet owners. A comprehensive survey of more than 11,000 Australians, Chinese and Germans showed that pet owners made 15 percent to 20 percent fewer annual visits to the doctor than non-pet owners. The healthiest group who went to the doctor the least continuously owned a pet; the next healthiest group had obtained a pet for the first time during the study period; and the least healthy groups were people who had never owned a pet or no longer did.

Pets, especially dogs, encourage physical activity, which can boost overall health and wellness and combat depression. A study at Cambridge University found that owning a pet improved general health in as little as one month. Pet owners often are more active because they can walk or run with their dog or play with their cat to burn a few extra calories. Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters known for their calming properties. A daily walk with a dog gets you out into the world with other people and animals and encourages exercise, both of which counteract depression.

Pets and Child Development

The bond between a child and their pet is unmistakable. Pets make perfect playmates and sympathetic listeners, but also can improve children's social skills and ability to communicate. A study of 455 schoolchildren between the ages of 11 and 16 revealed that children with pets had a better ability to understand nonverbal communications. In some schools, teachers have introduced pets into the classroom to stimulate the social integration and social competence of the students.

Children's relationships with pets are unique and different from their relationships with others in their social world. Based on studies of children in diverse family circumstances, it appears that, at least for some, the presence of a pet is immensely beneficial. In many cases, being exposed to a pet helps establish and maintain relationships with peers, especially in grade and high school. By providing faithful and nonjudgmental companionship, pets provide psychological and psychosocial stability to their owners, which can result in better health.

Research suggests children with pets also have higher self-esteem and function better emotionally than those without pets. A five-year study of 600 children ages 3 to 18 revealed that children with pets who are slow learners or whose parents have divorced cope better with life than those without a pet. Another study found that owning a pet results in better attendance at school and less absenteeism due to illness. Owning a pet also teaches children about responsibility, mutual trust and the importance of daily care.