Health Benefits Of Pet Therapy

Decreases Anxiety And Depression

Researchers have identified a phenomenon they call the 'pet effect,' which helps decrease depression, stress, and anxiety in individuals all over the world. Eighty million households in the United States have a pet. For individuals without pets, pet therapy can produce some of the same positive effects, as can volunteering at shelters and animal rescues. When a survey was done of pet owners throughout the United States, seventy-four percent said they experienced improvements in their mental health due to pet ownership. Seventy-five percent of the pet owners in the survey said a family member or friend's mental health had been improved through their pet ownership. There's an entire field of study called human-animal bond research that studies the documented health benefits from pet interaction. Positive interactions between humans and animals have been shown to make physiological changes that reduce depression, anxiety, fear, and stress. In addition, there's a measurable increase in the oxytocin found in the brain. These chemicals help stimulate feelings of warmth, love, and companionship.

Keep reading to reveal more about how pet therapy is beneficial to health now.