Rx For A Better Life Get A Pet, And Do It Now

[Guest guest]

-

Elaine

* Health and Healing *

Wednesday, April 03, 2002 11:36 PM

Rx For A Better Life Get A Pet, And Do It Now

 

 

Laura Lee News - Rx For A Better Life? Get A Pet, And Do It Now-

http://www.lauralee.com/news/petrx.htm -

 

Rx For A Better Life? Get A Pet, And Do It Now

COLLEGE STATION, - It might be the prescription of the future: Take two

aspirin and get a pet immediately.

Numerous studies have shown that pets - or at least the presence of

animals - can have medical benefits that are beyond dispute. These range

from lowering blood pressure to lessening anxiety and depression and even to

faster healing times after surgery.

Fido is no placebo - he can literally be man's best friend when people are

ailing.

" We have known for many years that the company of a pet can be of benefit in

a variety of ways, but exactly why this is, no one seems to have the

answer, " says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, who specializes in animal behavior and

human-animal relationships at Texas A & M University's College of Veterinary

Medicine.

" For example, the long-term survival rates of heart attack victims who had a

pet have been shown to be significantly longer than for those who did not.

There is also data showing that widows who have cats are better off

medically during the first year, which is a critical stress time, than

widows who do not. "

Other studies have shown that:

* Senior adults who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In

a study of 100 Medicare patients, those who owned dogs made 21 percent fewer

visits to a physician than non-dog owners;

* Pet owners have lower blood pressure, and one study showed that just 10

minutes in the company of an animal significantly reduced blood pressure

rates;

* Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners;

* Pet owners have overall better physical health due to exercise with their

pets;

* 70 percent of families surveyed reported an increase in family happiness

and fun after acquiring a pet;

* Children exposed to pets during their first year of life have a lower

frequency of some allergies and asthma;

* Children who suffer from autism have more prosocial behaviors if they own

a pet;

* Owning a pet - especially a dog - helps children in families better adjust

to the serious illness or death of a parent;

* Pets decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation in their owners;

* Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality rates by 3 percent, which

translates into 30,000 lives saved annually;

* Positive self-esteem in children is enhanced if the child owns a pet;

* Children owning pets are more likely to be involved in sports, hobbies,

clubs or even chores;

* Victims of AIDS who own a pet report less depression and reduced stress

levels.

Many groups take pets to visit residents of nursing homes, and usually the

experience is a very positive one for both the pet and the individual.

" Many people in nursing homes had pets all of their lives, but for several

reasons, are not allowed to in an extended-care facility, " says Beaver.

" The tendency is to make those places 'sterile,' with minimal plants or

animals. Those who bring in nature of all kinds generally bring in a better

quality of life to their residents. "

The reverse is also true - the life of a pet is usually enhanced if its

owner cares for it properly.

" Geriatric animals in most veterinary settings are those that have had

loving and caring owners who followed good husbandry practices, " she adds.

" We don't really understand why pets make us feel better and in some cases,

add years to our own lives, " Beaver explains.

" There are many forms of the animal-person relationship. Some are not good,

some are neutral, some are not realistic at all and some are very nurturing.

Different people get different benefits from the animal, and even different

benefits at different stages in the person's life. "

Source: Texas A & M University (http://www.tamu.edu)

 

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[Guest guest]

How strange that all my health problems as below, started 6 months after I

lost my cat and I was without a cat in the home for the first time in 30

years!

Marianne

 

 

> Pet owners have lower blood pressure, and one study showed that just 10

> minutes in the company of an animal significantly reduced blood pressure

> rates;

> * Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than

> non-owners;

> * Pet owners have overall better physical health due to exercise with their

> pets;

>