- Main benefits of animals in humans
- Motivational assisted therapy
- Physical therapy
- Physiological
- Psychosocial
- Psychological
- Company
- Routine and sense of responsibility
- Improvement in physical activity
- Stronger health
- Can all depressed people have a pet?
- Bibliography
The main benefit of animals and pets is that they can help their owners overcome depression thanks to their affective characteristics. Depression, one of the most widespread diseases in the world, can find its worst enemy in animals.
Numerous are the studies that have demonstrated the positive influence of the pets in the health and well-being of the human beings; not only positive consequences on a psychological level, but also on a physical level.
Main benefits of animals in humans
Motivational assisted therapy
This consists of introducing an animal permanently in the environment of a person in order to establish an affective union. Residences for the elderly, prisons, hospitals or psychiatric institutions have adopted this methodology for people who suffered from some type of mental disorder.
Physical therapy
It also has therapeutic purposes with animals, being a tool to improve motor function, bodybuilding, balance, posture or coordination in people with difficulty, such as patients with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or Down syndrome. Equine therapy is the best known form of physical therapy.
Physiological
Owning pets has been shown to be a protective factor for cardiovascular disease.
Some of the risk factors that decrease are blood pressure, reduced heart rates, anxiety and stress.
Psychosocial
The influence of pets in situations of community life is so great that they serve as an antidote to improve interaction between people, creating greater ease of socialization.
These interpersonal relationships that develop in parks or recreational areas, develop a bond of trust between pet owners.
Psychological
There are many studies that have determined that the presence of an animal near a person helps reduce psychological disturbances.
Some of the positive effects are reduced feelings of loneliness, increased intimacy, and less likelihood of stress, grief, social isolation, or depression. The latter is the one that interests us.
Pets are silent healers. They have been shown to have a very significant psychological and emotional effect on patients and this has allowed
certain illnesses to be more bearable, becoming a channel for faster recovery.
In the case of people with depression, studies show that together with therapy or drug treatments, pets can help them
feel better. We list some of the ways to benefit from having an animal at home:
Company
In one study (Wood, Giles, Bursara, 2005) it was found that pet owners rarely or almost never felt lonely, which explains unconditional companionship of pets. Thanks to them, the owners had the facility to make new friends and increase self-esteem.
Routine and sense of responsibility
Although caring for a pet may be similar to caring for a child, specialists have shown that the responsibility of caring for a dog or cat helps to give a new approach to life by nourishing it with meaning.
Getting up every morning with the requirement of having to feed or walk a pet will provide values that will greatly benefit patients.
Improvement in physical activity
People who suffer from depression tend to degenerate into being indifferent to any physical activity. It has been indicated that people who suffer from depression, but have a pet, have greater physical activity compared to those who do not own.
This is due to the fact that the patient is forced to take his pet outside and can spend an average of 20/30 minutes walking.
Stronger health
A study carried out by Chilean researchers in 2010 suggests that there is an association between the possession of some pets, such as birds or cats, with a lower presentation of depression in older people.
Other research ensures that owning a dog lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and releases endorphins, a substance that the brain secretes in reaction to severe pain.
Can all depressed people have a pet?
No. There are cases of severe depression in which the afflicted person does not show any kind of improvement with the company of a pet, but quite the opposite. In addition, they are usually patients who are unable to attend to the needs of a pet, neglecting it and putting their health at risk.
The cases in which the presence of a pet can be counterproductive should be taken into account. That is, they represent a benefit to improve mental imbalance, but at the same time, they become a close source of microorganisms, by which the patient sees their immune conditions damaged.
In any case, they are very extreme situations. If a person suffering from depression is interested in sponsoring a pet, a specialist will be able to assess whether he or she is suitable for it.
Bibliography
- Lynch JJ. Developing a physiology of inclusion: recognizing the health benefits of animals companions. Delta Society 2006.
- Wood L, Giles-Corti B, Bulsara M. The pet connection: pets as a conduit for social capital. Soc Sci Med 2005; 61: 1159-1173.
- Hart LA. Methods, standards, guidelines, and considerations in selecting animals for animal-assisted therapy. In: Fine AH, editor. Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Boston: Academic Press; 2000. p. 81-97.
- Salas serqueira, F; Cea Nettig, X; Fuentes García, A; Lera Marqués, L; Sánchez Reyes, H; Albala Brevis, C. Association between depression and pet ownership in older people. Rev Chil Salud Pública 2010; Vol 14 (2-3): 291-310.
- Angulo FJ, Glaser CA, Juranek DD, Lappin MR, Regmery RL. Caring for pets of immunocompromised persons. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994; 205: 1711-1718.
- Leonardo F Gómez G1, MV, Esp Clin; Camilo G Atehortua H1, est de MV; Sonia C Orozco P1 *, MV, Esp Clin. The influence of pets on human life. Rev Col Cienc Pec 2007; 20: 377-386.