The Benefits of Pet Ownership

Companion animals have been part of our lives for most of recorded history and are not just a twentieth century phenomenon. It is not known whether primitive man started first to herd animals for food and campfire scavenging dogs were trained to help, or whether dogs became a part of man's lifestyle even earlier. It is thought likely that the cat's excellence as a rodent catcher in grain stores was exploited by the ancient Egyptians. The question remains, however, did the cat view the human as a superior hunter and simply become domesticated in return for free food?

There are countless historical representations of pets as part of our daily lives. Think of the chivalric knight's tomb with his dog at his feet as a symbol of fidelity, or the magnificent medieval manuscripts with lively dogs, cats and birds tumbling from the margins. Throughout the ages, portraits of royalty have depicted Kings and Queens with their favourite pets.

The ship's cat on Captain Scott's expedition to the South Pole in 1912 was the first of his species to land and overwinter in Antartica. It had its own blanket, hammock and pillow.

No matter how it first developed, one thing is certain: the powerful bond between people and pet animals is entirely mutually beneficial. Simply to watch a child playing with a pet dog or cat, or an elderly person enjoying the companionship of an animal underlines the mutual benefits and interdependence of the relationship. As is increasingly being recognised, the composite mutual benefits of pet ownership far exceed companionship alone. Indeed, the relationship between humans and animals is far deeper and more rewarding than even pet owners themselves are aware.

Learning about life

There is clear scientific evidence that children growing up with a pet develop better social skins and have a greater respect for all living things around them, than those who do not have the benefits of pet ownership. Children soon learn that animals consistently show non-judgmental love and loyalty as well as experiencing pain, hunger, illness and eventual death - a poignant preparation for life ahead. For some children, there is the experience of witnessing birth and the demonstration of a mother's love, care and attention, as well as the added responsibility, which is to be shared by the whole family. 

Benefits to human health

Pet animals are used for therapeutic reasons in hospitals and nursing homes where the benefits are increasingly being recognised. Patients have something to look forward to and talk about after a pet visit. Although some of these values have been surmised since the eighteenth century, the use of animals in hospital wards is not yet common in Europe. In the United States, more than half of all nursing homes, clinics and hospitals use animals in a therapeutic capacity. Perhaps of all these positive effects on the well-being of a human patient, the most dramatic is that of a dog or a cat in the non- communicative clinically depressed patient whose withdrawal can be gently alleviated by the introduction of the pet. Such practices and their psychological benefits have received endorsement from the medical profession.

Tests have revealed that stroking dogs and cats can lower the blood pressure and heart rate of the human. This may be related to the simple fact that caring for certain pets introduces added responsibilities, such as having to go out to exercise a dog, shopping and generally leading a more active life. Pet owners have often confessed that it is the dog, which makes them exercise. Walking the dog also leads to many conversations and social interactions that might otherwise not have taken place.

The benefits of pet ownership to the elderly are enormous. They can vary from simple but invaluable companionship, to a positive link between the owner and the outside world.

Assistance animals

Recognition of the powerful bond between ourselves and pet animals has proved vital in the increasing and effective use of assistance animals. The value of guide dogs in raising the quality of life for those who are visually impaired is well known. For those hard of hearing there is also specialised assistance available from "hearing dogs" which are trained to react to specific noises (e.g. doorbell, fire alarm and telephone) and draw their owner's attention to them. There is also a growing number of assistance dogs which help the severely disabled.

The best thing assistance dogs can provide, in addition to real help and companionship, is a large measure of independence.

Assistance animals also fulfil many other invaluable roles, including working as sheep and cattle dogs, as sniffer dogs used for detection of drugs, tracker dogs, mountain, sea and avalanche rescue animals, and police dogs. It is interesting to talk to the handlers of working animals and to learn that they are still regarded as pets, which have simply been trained for specific purposes.

One more unusual use for companion animals is in prisons where pets have been carefully introduced. Staff and inmates alike reap benefits aiding the rehabilitation process.