After a long day, there’s nothing like coming home to your beloved pet for some unconditional love. Mindful Puzzles explores the health benefits of caring for your animal friend.
When our dogs greet us with wagging tails and our cats purr contentedly in our laps, it seems like animals have special powers when it comes to making us feel good. Almost two-thirds of Australians own a pet and while some days we’d rather watch funny videos of them on YouTube than take them for a walk, humans and animals share a cherished relationship.
The history of humans and animals
Animals and humans have a long and important history together. In ancient Egypt many creatures were considered sacred, with most households keeping domestic pets like dogs, cats, monkeys and birds. In the Middle Ages, long before telephones and the internet existed, people ‘tweeted’ in an entirely different way, using pigeons to send messages. Today we still rely on animals to help us – with farming, search and rescue, drug detection, and to aid the vision impaired. Although our relationship with animals has evolved over the centuries, one thing remains clear: they are as important to us today as they ever have been.
How animals impact our lives
It’s no secret that pets enrich our lives in many ways; they love unconditionally, provide companionship, and bring us joy, but studies are showing that there’s a lot more to why pets are so good for our health. Owning a pet has many benefits when it comes to mental wellbeing. They can make us feel safer and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and the benefits aren’t just limited to dogs and cats; studies have shown that keeping animals such as rabbits, fish and birds can help to reduce stress and improve mood. Any pet, big or small, can provide structure and routine, giving us a sense of purpose and that little bit of extra motivation we sometimes need to get moving.
In recent years we have seen an increase in the use of animals for therapeutic purposes. Known as ‘animal-assisted therapy’ (AAT), there are a variety of settings and situations in which animals are being employed to help people through challenging times. Research into the area began in the 1960s when psychologist Boris Levinson noted that his patients seemed calmer and more responsive to therapy when his pet dog was present. Since then, numerous studies have been carried out around the world showing support for Levinson’s early hypotheses and the positive effects animals can have on humans.
Whether you have a rambunctious puppy, elegant feline, feathered friend, or a carefully curated fish tank, the inclusion of animals in our lives brings clarity, mindfulness, patience and joy. So next time your pet is due for some pampering or play time, remember to appreciate the good it’s doing for you too.
If financial or residential circumstances mean owning a pet is not an option for you, there are other ways you can get your fur fix:
- Volunteer at your local animal shelter or consider fostering a pet short-term.
- Become a dog walker and incorporate it with your exercise routine.
- Visit family and friends who have pets and offer to pet sit when they go on holiday.
WORDS: Elizabeth Freeland
