They Make Us Smarter
Research finds having a pet may help your kids read better, and could provide other cognitive benefits as well. In 2010, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study in which kids who practiced reading aloud to a canine buddy showed improved reading fluency. (Kids participating in the study said they felt more relaxed reading to a dog rather than to a parent, teacher or peer.) The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says pets can also help kids develop non-verbal communication skills. And some experts say those who grow up with pets have higher IQs and emotional intelligence, though research in those areas is limited.
They Lower the Odds of Asthma & Allergies
It may seem counterintuitive, but researchers have found that having a dog or cat around when raising young children can actually decrease their chances of developing asthma and allergies. A 2004 study at the University of Wisconsin, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, showed young children who grew up with a dog in the home had stronger immune systems that were more effective at fighting off chronic respiratory problems. And a 2002 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found kids who grow up with cats or dogs may have a lower risk of developing pet allergies as well as other common allergies like ragweed, grass, and dust mites.
They Can Help Monitor Blood Sugar
Among the many things that service dogs can be trained to do is alert their owners when the animal perceives certain changes in the owner’s body chemistry. Some organizations specialize in training and certifying service dogs to do just this for insulin-dependent adults and children with type-1 diabetes. When the diabetic’s blood sugar peaks or drops, the service dog will begin to bark, letting its owner know that it’s time to test his blood sugar level.
They Get Us on the Move
It’s simple, really: Your dog needs to run and play outside and he can’t do it without you. Research shows that you might not do it without him either. A study from the Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research at Deakin University in Australia last year showed that both children and adults in families with dogs were more physically active than those without a family pet. And research from the National Institutes of Health has shown that dog owners are less likely to be obese. Keeping that New Year’s resolution to get fit might be as easy as indulging your child’s request for a new puppy!
They Calm Autistic Kids
For a child with autism, everyday activities -- especially those involving new social situations -- can be more difficult and stressful than for others. In 2010, the University of Montreal published a study in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology that found the presence of service animals in the homes of children with varying degrees of autism contributed to decreased stress and anxiety. Parents of study participants reported fewer behavioral problems commonly associated with autism when they introduced a service animal into their households.
They’re Good for Our Mental Health
Forget yoga! Taking care of a furry or feathered friend can offer a considerable boost to our mental wellbeing. They’re the ultimate conversation starters, so they help us make friends and encourage social interactions -- a staple for good mental health. The sense of responsibility of owning a pet can also keep feelings of depression at bay, and their companionship has been known to significantly reduce stress. A 2009 study from the New York State Psychiatric Institute also suggests that pet ownership contributes greatly to therapy and rehabilitation among adults with more serious mental illnesses. Cats and small animals such as birds and rabbits have even been used for prisoner rehabilitation.
They’re Good for Your Heart
The stress relief provided by petting and cuddling with your pet can offer big benefits for your cardiovascular health. Research from the NIH shows that dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and are less likely to die from heart health complications. And in a decades-long study at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, published in 2008, cat owners were found to be 60 percent less likely to die of a heart attack and 70 percent less likely to die of any type of cardiovascular disease than people without a feline friend.
They Keep the Elderly Independent
Ongoing research compiled by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Companion Animal Health suggests that pets can positively impact the overall wellbeing of seniors. A National Institutes of Health study showed that elderly pet owners living at home showed greater independence and mobility than those living without a pet. Programs such as the American Humane Association that supply visiting or residential dogs to nursing homes report that therapy dogs provide comfort, independence and companionship for elderly residents. And animal-assisted therapy for the elderly has also shown to be effective in pain management and reducing anxiety and aggression in patients with dementia.
They Sniff Out Catastrophe
Man’s best friend has long been hard at work sniffing out explosives and narcotics, saving human lives in the process. A dog’s sense of smell is about a thousand times more sensitive than ours, and training facilities around the country are experimenting with new ways to put this skill to good use. One of the latest programs is teaching dogs to sniff out foods with hidden traces of nuts to prevent those with serious nut allergies from unwittingly consuming foods that could trigger a life-threatening reaction. Good work, Spot.
They Keep Us Out of the Doctor’s Office
In her book Family Matters: An Introduction to Family Sociology in Canada, author and sociologist Barbara A. Mitchell says that many people -- particularly the elderly -- make needless visits to health facilities out of loneliness and because they have no one else to bounce their health concerns off of. Those with dogs or cats, or who are in regular contact with a visiting animal, she says, are less likely to turn to the doctor unnecessarily. Perhaps the least expected benefit of owning a pet: Lower healthcare costs!
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