What are the Benefits of Pet Ownership

[Nancy Davison, PT, LAc]

A pet is so much more than an enthusiastic greeter when you arrive home each day. They are a companion, a protector, some thing to love.

Dr Marty Becker, DVM,a veterinarian was the guest on People’s Pharmacy on July 1st to talk about the healing power of pets – dogs, cats and horses in particular. He described several scenarios as well as research studies performed by DUMC, Washington State University, Mayo Clinic and other notable centers that illustrated and even confirmed how pets can heal.

One person said that the only time she wasn’t in pain was when her little dog licked her feet when she got home from work each day.

Pets can reduce anxiety and feelings of irritation. Relaxation was measured by release of biochemicals such as oxytosin, endorphins, lowered cortisol and cholesterol and decreased blood pressure.

If you have a pet you are more likely to be healthier than those without one. You’re going to move more – to let the dog in and out, to shop for their food and feed them and to groom them. Pet owners are more likely to walk several times a week than those who lack that special motivator.

Post cardiac patients have a longer survival when they have a pet. For example cardiac patients who have a dog are 8 times more likely to be alive 1 year after their heart attack than those who didn’t come home to a dog.

Stressed out stock brokers with pets had lower blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and were more active that non-pet owners. Sixty percent (60%) came off their blood pressure medications. In another study people who had cats were 30% less likely to have a heart attack and 40% less likely to have a cardio vascular accident or a stroke.(Dr. Marty Becker DVM, Our Dog.)

Dr. Edward Craigen, former president of the Mayo Clinic specializing in oncology, palliative care and hospice, actually prescribed “get a dog” to 30% of his patients to help them deal with their symptoms more effectively.

Dogs can anticipate seizures, breathing difficulties (i.e. apnea) and impending heart attacks. Having a dog decreases stress giving you something to focus on beside your worries. Pets often make you laugh at least once a day.

So if you thought you were rescuing a pet from an unhappy ending; look again. A dog may be able to save your life or make life more comfortable. Dogs give you something to love and the love you share with your pet could save your life.

Attend our lunch and learn How Much is that Doggie in the Window? on July 12th at Bistro 618.

See details and register at Events: QiLady.com

[Leslie Flowers]

Nice article Nancy. I can tell you without scientific proof that it was my two cats that kept me 'sane' after a divorce. Always there, no matter what. Animals are count-on-able, where sometimes people are not.

[Nancy Davison, PT, LAc]

Thanks, Leslie. I couldn't agree more. IN fact when the vet wrote his first book he wrote from his heart about pets - then was challenged to find "scientific" evidence..... Nothing says love like purrrrrrrr.

[Teresa Robinson]

It's true. How stressed out can you be when your dog wants to sit in your lap and get loved on? And yes, our little dog makes us laugh all the time. Don't know what we'd do without him! I agree that owning a pet has huge benefits.

[Nancy Davison, PT, LAc]

Thanks for the support. My cat is particularly passionate so I get a purring critter on my chest every night for as long as I can be still. I love it. My dog, a bearded collie, stands in front of me a literally stamps his feet if he wants to go out
and I've been a little tardy with the leach.