More than a companion
OVER millennia, humans have found cherished companions in animals. The earliest evidence of the relationship between a human and animal was discovered recently in Israel, where a 12,000- year- old human skeleton was found buried with its hand lying on the skeleton of a sixmonth- old wolf cub.
Today, pets are prevalent in households throughout the world, with many families owning more than one.
Pets certainly provide companionship, but many people are not aware of the health benefits that pets also bring.
Reduce risks of allergies
While the common perception is that pets should be avoided if you come from an allergy- prone family, research has revealed that the opposite is, in fact, true.
According to studies conducted by paediatrician James E. Gern from University of WisconsinMadison, growing up around a pet can reduce a child’s risk of developing allergies by 33%.
Studies also show that pet owners have stronger immune systems and are less likely to develop asthma and skin conditions such as eczema. Adopting pets is therefore encouraged in growing families.
Help maintain an active lifestyle
Having pets can encourage you to be active and fit. As dogs need to be taken for walks, you will benefit from the daily exercise as well.
The National Institutes of Health in the United States reported that owners who regularly walked their dogs were generally more physically active and less likely to become obese.
Other activities can be carried out with dogs too, including hiking, biking and jogging. If you want to keep fit, having a dog as an exercise partner can act as a great motivation.
Regular exercise will not only keep you healthy but also help you maintain a positive outlook in life.
Reduce stress
As touch is a basic human need, mutual affection between pets and humans can produce a therapeutic effect.
Physical contact can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in your system, inducing feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Most pet owners admit to confiding their issues and struggles to their pets, allowing for a chance to unload their minds without judgment and blame.
The mind becomes healthier as well and you are at a lower risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and loneliness. After all, having a dog greet you at the door after work is an instant mood booster.
Impart sense of responsibility
Apart from physical and mental health, animal companions require you to adopt a predictable schedule while caring for them.
A pet needs to be fed, cleaned, given exercise and shown love and affection.
Having a routine not only helps you stay organised, it directs your mind away from the stress of any problem you may face.
Holding the responsibility of caring for a pet can also mould children’s character and help them
in their overall development.
Improve social relationships
Taking walks with your dog is an excellent way to meet new people and socialise. Since the same faces would be seen daily, friendships are more likely to blossom and be maintained.
Events for pets such as Pet World Malaysia 2015 provide opportunities for pets and their owners to participate in games and activities that not only strengthen the bond between human and animal but also bring like- minded people together.
Help overcome mental illnesses
Children or adults with learning or mental disorders can practise regulating their stress and calming themselves through interactions with animals.
In addition, caring for another living being requires patience, perseverance and gentleness – traits that will make them better equipped to overcome the challenges of their disorder.
Over the years, research has shown that having an animal in the home has a positive effect on Alzheimer’s patients, reducing anxious outbursts.