Relating to Animal Helps Us Feel Kinship to All Life

by Joyce Remy

(Right) Cole, a friendly sheltie, volunteers at Swedish Hospital every Thursday night. Cole and his humans Curtis and Celeste Huzeau work as a team to bring smiles to patients' faces, and to make their hospital stay more pleasant. Seattle-King County Aging and Disability Advisory Board member Timmie Faghin reports that during her recent hospitalization, Cole and Curtis were her favorite volunteers. "Cole has his own volunteer badge," says Timmie. "He visits patients, cuddles in their laps or on their beds, and is extraordinarily well-behaved."

A Long History

Throughout human history, people and animals have coexisted closely. Archaeologists often find companion pets in ancient burials, perhaps to keep their masters company in the afterlife. We have a symbiotic relationship with our fellow creatures that is, companionship benefits us both. We enjoy petting a cat's soft fur, and the resulting purr lets us know that the cat likes it, too. A dog is happy to accept a treat, and we enjoy experiencing the canine gratitude of a wagging tail.

Interaction with animals is not only good for the spirit, but has also been documented to provide positive human benefits in several important areas:

Physical health

We know that health is affected by our surroundings and our attitude. Studies have shown that petting an animal can actually lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol level. People who have pets are more likely to be physically active. Other studies suggest that when animals are around, providing relaxation and stimulation, people recover more quickly from illness or injury.
 
Emotional and psychological health

Touching a warm living creature helps meet an important human emotional need. And pets give self-esteem a boost: in a world where so often it seems we are judged by what we own and what we can do, animals give unconditional, non-judgmental love. Watching and interacting with animals is an opportunity for "brain boosting" sensory stimulation. And animals can provide distraction from our own physical and psychological concerns indeed, pets have been "prescribed" as a treatment for depression and anxiety. 

Social benefits

If you are walking in the park and encounter another person, do you spontaneously stop and begin a conversation? Probably not. But what if the other person is accompanied by an eagerly romping sheepdog? In our society, it is quite acceptable to comment on a stranger's pet and by the end of the exchange, the two people aren't quite strangers anymore. Pets are "icebreakers," serving as a bridge between people.

More Resources

For an in-depth look at the documented health benefits of pets, see the National Institutes of Health "Consensus Statement" summarizing the findings of experts in relevant fields. 

The Delta Society, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the improvement of human health through service and therapy animals, offers information on their web site about the health benefits of animals.