Pets Bring Happiness and Healing – Study

Companion Animals Provide Physical and Emotional Health Benefits

Sep 2, 2009 Sue Cartledge

The pleasure felt by pet owners has been quantified by researchers, who say $3 billion is saved on health spending in Australia, due to the benefits of pet ownership.

All pet owners know the joy of sharing their lives with a beloved cat, dog, bird, rat, rabbit, horse or any other companion animal. Now Australian researchers have computed the health benefits people gain from animals – social, mental, physical, psychological and emotional health – and put a figure on them.

Master of Philosophy student Maggie O'Haire, from The University of Queensland's Centre for Companion Animal Health and School of Psychology highlighted some of these benefits at an RSPCA Animals and Human Health Seminar, held in August 2009.

“We know the health benefits of animals can include a reduction in blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, increased sense of well-being and an increased feeling of connectedness to their community,” Ms O'Haire said.

She and her fellow researchers have estimated the annual savings to the Australian health system of people living with pets to be $AU3.86 billion ($US3.23 billion).

“Doctors may soon be prescribing their patients a script to adopt a cat or dog,” she joked.

Pets Assisting Children with Autism

Ms O’Haire said little was known about the value of animal-assisted interventions for children, especially for children with intellectual, emotional or learning difficulties.

In particular, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may benefit from having close contact with pets.

“At present, there is no universal treatment protocol or cure for this debilitating illness, and it is believed that animal-assisted therapy may provide an alternative to current treatment practices,” Ms O’Haire said.

“Animals often hold a special appeal for children, and are catalysts for interpersonal interaction and communication. By interacting with pets, children can learn valuable lessons in empathy, nurturing and non-verbal communication.

“Animal-assisted therapy may provide a successful alternative to traditional treatment plans, as it provides the child with autism a positive association for therapy, and a comforting companion to rely on throughout the process,” she said.

“What's interesting to note about such interventions is the little amount of research that has actually been done to understand the benefits. Especially given that such programs are relatively low in cost in comparison to other alternative practices."

Ms O’Haire is currently setting up a study to look at the role of pets in the classroom for schools that children with ASD attend.

Dogs Help Elderly Dementia Patients

Another study at the Centre for Companion Animal Health, looks at how dogs in aged care facilities help elderly dementia patients.

In all developed countries, dementia is becoming a leading cause of disability for elderly people, as they lose their memory and cognitive and language skills.

People with dementia often feel insecure and vulnerable. Dogs’ unquestioning love can be a real boon to these elderly people.

Jackie Perkins, a PhD student at the Centre, is examining how dogs can have a therapeutic effect on dementia sufferers. She has developed questionnaires to better understand the relationship between people in aged care facilities and therapy dogs.

In their replies, one person declared “While I had Golly on my lap, I didn’t feel the pain in my hip,” and another, “While I was stroking Lady I felt the pain in my leg go”.

Even dementia sufferers whose previous experience with dogs had not been positive showed signs of overcoming their reluctance, asking to be included in the trials and to play with and pat the dogs.

“The dogs, Golly, Lady and Rinnie, responded with the warmth that is so characteristic of these adoring pets,” Ms Perkins said.

“The residents also formed close relationships with other members in their trial group. In this way, they regained some of their lost communication skills.”

You might also like to read: The Rat, A Perfect Indoor Pet and What Personality is Your Pooch?

The copyright of the article Pets Bring Happiness and Healing – Study in Natural Medicine is owned by Sue Cartledge. Permission to republish Pets Bring Happiness and Healing – Study in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.