The Benefits of Living with Animals: A Source of Well-Being for Humans
For those who live with a pet, the unconditional love and care from animals can have a significant impact on their well-being. Whether someone is suffering from mental illnesses, physical trauma, or any other type of trauma, the attention and care required by animals can serve as an impetus for healing. As a result, animal therapies are on the rise among centers and institutions that offer them, and scientific research supports the positive effects of living with animals on human well-being.
One of the most significant impacts of living with pets is on psychological and physiological conditions. Conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression are often lessened by the presence of animals. Additionally, living with animals can have positive effects on the development and progression of various physiological diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hormonal and metabolic disorders, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s.
Scientific research has also shown that living with animals can reduce adrenaline levels in humans and help prevent negative progress in diseases such as depression. Even a simple activity like going for a walk with a dog has been shown to be beneficial for human well-being. Research conducted during the confinement period in Spain in 2020 showed that walking outdoors and playing with dogs helped many people reduce the effects of mood deterioration during that time.
Living with animals in childhood also provides numerous benefits. It helps build a child’s identity, provides self-esteem and security, and contributes to cognitive development. Children who grow up with pets at home acquire greater responsibility by sharing tasks of assisting the animal and improve their ability to relate socially through activities and games with them. Research has shown that the presence of a pet significantly helps in the psychological development and maturity of children and adolescents.
Furthermore, animals have been incorporated into clinical therapy in various ways. Certain animal species have been trained to detect diseases such as cancer, and dogs, cats, and horses are being used as a form of therapy for people with various syndromes. Close contact with animals has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sociability, and alleviate perceptions of loneliness, particularly among the elderly.
Overall, the incorporation of animals into various forms of therapy has demonstrated that they are a source of unavoidable well-being for humans. As research continues to show the beneficial effects of living with animals, it is clear that animals play a vital role in improving human well-being.