Benefits of Pet Therapy: Learn what Pet Therapy Research Shows

Benefits of Pet Therapy

The benefits of pet therapy have been known for many years and now pet therapy research confirms these positive effects.

In the 1790s, the Society of Friends in England used animals as therapy for mentally ill patients. In the ninth century, a similar program in rural Gheel, Belgium existed for people with disabilities. During World War II, the Red Cross encouraged patients to do farm work to help keep their minds off the war. In the United States, animals have been allowed to visit people in a mental health program in Washington D.C. since 1919.

It does not matter what type of animal is used to get the therapeutic benefits of pet therapy. It can be a dog, a cat, a fish, a bird, or even a turtle as long as the animal of choice interests the person. However, the pet selected should fit one’s temperament, lifestyle, and living space. If not, it can end up being an additional source of stress.

Pet therapy is not for everyone. Some people may feel overwhelmed caring for them or they may worry about who will take care of their pet when they pass on. However, in most cases, having a pet gives one a reason for living and can prolong life span.

Pet Therapy Research

The benefits of pet therapy can affect a wide variety of patients, including the elderly and those with heart disease, cancer, AIDS, or a mental illness.

People benefit from pets in various ways, including:

• reducing loneliness, anxiety, and depression
• increasing self-esteem
• aiding in short and long term memory
• encouraging responsibility and nurturance
• improving motor skills, balance, and speech
• distracting pain
• decreasing the risk of health problems.

Pet therapy research and studies showing the benefits of pet therapy:

• In one study performed at City Hospital in New York, people who suffered from heart attacks and owned pets were shown to be more likely to be alive one year later than those who did not have a pet.
• Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reported that stroking a cat or dog can lower blood pressure in those with hypertension.
• In one multi-state study conducted in nursing home facilities, it was found that medication costs dropped about $3.80 per patient (per day) where animals were allowed.
• It has also been shown that people who watch fish swimming in an aquarium before a medical procedure had less anxiety.

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