Petting a cat can be the antidote to loneliness. A dog can lift your mood. And having a pet to snuggle at night will make you less anxious, according to research. Scientists have confirmed what we pet owners know to be true. Petting and cuddling animals can be therapeutic. Pet therapy can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure, helping animals and humans in their own way. Pet therapy has been practised for centuries in some places. It was used in ancient Greece to relieve depressed citizens in their time of crisis. When the bubonic plague broke out, for instance, people would bring animals to them so the presence of the animals would be soothing for the people. There are people – usually those on their own and with high stress levels – who go into the animal shelter looking for a friend.
The presence of a happy, calm animal will help them take a step back. For some, simply petting a cat can be the antidote to loneliness. For others, it could be therapeutic to walk a dog who is eager to please and who will bring happiness to their hearts. For others, it could be that snuggling with your pet is a step forward. And there are several studies to confirm that pet therapy is a successful treatment for people with mental health issues. Psychiatrists know what role emotional support plays in maintaining our own mental health and that of our patients or clients. As such, they are in tune with the benefits of having and sharing a pet.
If you are interested, the first step might be to go to the nearest animal shelter and check out the pets available. When they are ready for a new home, you can adopt them to your own family. Or, if restricted from having a pet where you live, you might find a volunteer organization that helps homeless animals on the street. These are usually not full time jobs, but rather, after-hours, when you can give one more helping hand to an animal in need.
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