Pets are Mental Health Superheroes

Pets are Mental Health Superheroes

Approximately 60% of households in Canada own at least one pet. In our home, we have three dogs that are a part of our family. They bring us unconditional love, fun, companionship and occasionally; a little mischief too! As a true animal lover, I know first-hand the social and emotional benefits of having pets. Nothing feels better than walking through the door and being greeted by excitement and wagging tails. Formal research is now proving the therapeutic value of the relationship with pets. Evidence showcases that pets are good for human health and mental wellbeing.

Animals can be a source of both comfort and support. Spending time with a pet has been shown to increase the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, oxytocin and dopamine and lower cortisol and blood pressure. Furthermore, it is known that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support and boost your mood.

Mindfulness is a practise that is foundational in the therapeutic counselling space. The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion and awareness. Animals are able to provide all of these components naturally as an innate quality. Animals live fully in the moment and are fully present, providing unwavering companionship without judgement. 80% of people recently surveyed identified that they turn to their pets for comfort when they feel lonely, stressed or overwhelmed.

Several formal studies continue to show other remarkable benefits in connection to animals and pets:

• One study found that dogs in classrooms helped children with ADHD focus their attention by bringing a calm and consistent presence to the space.
• Another study showed that children who read to animals showed better social skills, more sharing, cooperation and volunteering.
• A study showcased that children with autism spectrum disorder were more regulated while playing and caring for guinea pigs in the classroom because it provided routine and consistency.
• Yet another study showed that youth with type 1 diabetes who participated in structured care of a pet fish improved glycemic control, likely by providing cues to perform diabetes self-management actions.
• Therapy dogs can be trained to support anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical wellness needs.
• Older adults identified that their pets provided them with more social connections, less isolation and a better sense of purpose.
• Mental health providers have identified that animals can be helpful for children and youth when talking about emotions more comfortably.

In conclusion, 86% of people recognize that their pets positively improved their mental health. If you have been contemplating a new, furry family member, please remember to consider a visit to our local shelters where many of our animal “superheroes” are awaiting a new home to provide unconditional love and companionship. Not all superheroes wear capes-some have four paws and others swim in a fish bowl.

References

5 ways pets help with stress and mental health. www.heart.org. (2024, October 8). https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pets-as-coworkers/pets-and-mental-health

Burgoyne L, Dowling L, Fitzgerald A, Connolly M, P browne J, Perry IJ. Parents’ perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2014;4(6):e004786. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004786

Carlisle GK. Pet dog ownership decisions for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. J Pediatr Nurs. 2014;29(2):114-23. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2013.09.005

Feldman, S. (2024a, May 2). How pets impact our mental health. HABRI. https://habri.org/blog/how-pets-impact-our-mental-health/

Fraser, C. (2024, September 18). How many dogs are there in Canada in 2024? Statistics & More. Dogster. https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-canada#:~:text=Approximately%2060%25%20of%20Canadian%20households,2020%20and%20continues%20to%20climb.

Maranda L, Lau M, Stewart SM, Gupta OT. A novel behavioral intervention in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus improves glycemic control: preliminary results from a pilot randomized control trial. Diabetes Educ. 2015 Apr;41(2):224-30. doi: 10.1177/0145721714567235. Epub 2015 Jan 22. PMID: 25614529; PMCID: PMC4472382.

McCullough,Amy and Ruehrdanz,Ashleigh and Garthe,Rachel and Hellman,Cynthia and O’Haire,Marguerite, hai.2021.0023, Human-animal interaction bulletin, doi:10.1079/hai.2021.0023, CABI International, Measuring the Social, Behavioral, and Academic Effects of Classroom Pets on Third and Fourth-Grade Students, (2021)

McNicholas J, Gilbey A, Rennie A, Ahmedzai S, Dono JA, Ormerod E. Pet ownership and human health: a brief review of evidence and issues. BMJ. 2005 Nov 26;331(7527):1252-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1252. PMID: 16308387; PMCID: PMC1289326.

North American Psychiatric Association. (2023, March 1). Americans note overwhelming positive mental health impact of their pets in new poll; dogs and cats. Psychiatry.org – Americans Note Overwhelming Positive Mental Health Impact of Their Pets in New Poll; Dogs and Cats. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/positive-mental-health-impact-of-pets

Wood L, Martin K, Christian H, Houghton S, Kawachi I, Vallesi S, McCune S. Social capital and pet ownership – A tale of four cities. SSM Popul Health. 2017 May 5;3:442-447. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.05.002. PMID: 29349237; PMCID: PMC5769067.

Written by: Nancy Masuda, Social Worker with Wildflowers