Caring for pets is hard work. Caring for an animal is a huge expense, commitment, and sometimes busy. However, any pet owner can vouch that their pet is worth all the sacrifices.
They Support Your Mental Health
No matter what you’re doing, a pet will help you through it. With the spread of COVID-19, the emotional support of pets is more important than ever. As we all face the unknown, experience loneliness from social distancing, and watch confirmed cases and deaths rise, fear, anxiety and depression increase. In the face of all this turmoil, pets can provide real, value.
Some specific ways pets can help your mental health: coexistence
There are many times in your life when you feel alone. Maybe you’re stressed because you’re socially distanced, you’re moving to a new city, you’re going through a breakup, or you’ve recently lost a family member. Having a pet can provide a stable relationship even when other relationships are unstable.
Stress reduction
Life is hard. Homework and schoolwork can pile up, and working with multiple projects can be stressful, but walking, walking, or playing with pets can reduce your stress.
Having something to care for
Pets need constant attention. For example, dogs always need to be walked, fed and played with. Even small pets like fish require constant care; they need food, water, tank cleaning, tank temperature checks and great care in handling. Having someone to care for like this helps your mental state by giving you a sense of responsibility for another life and making you feel wanted and important. In fact, pets rely on us for everything, which can give your life an extra sense of meaning and purpose.
They are cute!
A beloved little friend coming home will put a smile on anyone’s face. If you have a cute dog, it is a joy and a source of pride to call such a cute animal your own.
ESAS (Emotional Support Animals) is a testament to the emotional support that pets can provide. ESAS (Emotional Support Animals) are dogs, cats, and birds for people with more serious mental health conditions such as panic disorder, major depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. It helps people with these conditions to heal.
How animals improve human mental health
Communicating with animals—dogs, cats, horses, and other pets—reduces anxiety, strengthens the nervous system, and boosts immunity. “Animals have an open mind about people,” said Dr Henry Feldman of the Department of Hospital Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “They love, they help us love again and feel more confident.”
What is pet therapy?
Treatment of pets (from the English pet – “pet, favourite”) – the participation of pets in the treatment and prevention of various diseases, from heart diseases to mental disorders. An analysis of 49 studies of pet therapy confirmed the positive emotional effects of animals on patients with autism, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, depression and addictions. Psychic pets are known as emotional support animals. They differ from helpers such as guide dogs because they do not require special training – a friendly attitude towards a person and an emotional connection between pets and the owner. Therefore, it is not necessary to buy a special animal – you can choose the one you like at the shelter. Restrictions for pets are minimal: allergy or fear of animals.
How it works
Pet therapy advocates believe that animals help to stabilize emotions, to be more calm and composed, to develop trust and self-confidence in others, and improve communication, self-regulation and socialization skills.
In addition, pets alleviate loneliness, reduce irritability and anger, reduce PTSD symptoms, overcome insomnia, and increase levels of the happiness hormones oxytocin and endorphins.
Dogs
This is many popular therapists and pet companions. They help to cope with depression, calm down quickly in a stressful situation, and feel safe. It is easy for dog breeders to walk with new people and make friends – according to scientists; communication and friendship make us happy. Dogs of any breed and size who are human-friendly and know basic commands can provide emotional support.
Horses
Horses are just as popular as dogs in terms of popularity as therapists and in some cases superior to other animals. Their participatory psychotherapy is used to treat addictions as well as help adults and children with mental disorders. Horseback riding is an alternative component of therapy. People can decorate horses to improve their well-being. Communicating with animals and their ability to recognize and mimic human emotions can help you cope with stress and build confidence.
Cats
Cats are believed to be less capable of providing emotional support than dogs and horses. However, experts are sure that this is not the case. There is a practice of keeping cats in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools and opening cat cafes. These animals have a calming effect on the mood of people, help to forget worries and normalize sleep, because their presence creates a sense of security, and cats are relaxed and relaxed. Studies show that petting a cat causes the release of the happiness hormone oxytocin. Pets are responsive, kind and sensitive to those who pay attention to them.
Rabbits
Sometimes a small, quiet and calm animal is needed for therapy. In this case, experts recommend choosing a rabbit. These animals are easy to care for, and they are suitable for those who for whatever reason cannot have a dog or cat at home. Petting rabbits helps develop and maintain fine motor skills. The only essential condition is that the animal must be socialized and enjoy being petted.
Reptiles
At first glance, reptiles do not associate with animals that help solve emotional problems. However, a test conducted in London showed that caring for such a pet protects a person from difficulties and unpleasant experiences. This is because caring for a reptile requires a lot of attention and concentration. In addition, an unusual pet often increases self-esteem – the owner gains confidence that he can succeed in any chosen field if he has the ability to take care of complex pets.
The Birds
This is basically what parrots are all about – their high level of empathy and ability to talk makes them great companions. Experts suggest teaching parrots certain words and phrases that help them overcome mental difficulties. Parrots can help victims of violence and are better suited to treating PTSD than other pets. In the United States, to help veterans of the battles in Iraq, the Patriot Center for Parrots was established, and every soldier in need of support can choose a bird and take care of it.
The Cows
A new trend that recently emerged in Europe and later in the United States is calf treatment. An American woman, Suzanne Wooler, is world-famous for this type of treatment. A year ago, upstate New York farmers Suzanne and her husband gave each cow a hug. The couples try not to hold more than one or two sessions a day to avoid tiring the animals. The advantage of this hug is that cows have a slower heart rate than humans. Hugging a cow gives people a calming and soothing effect similar to yoga or meditation
There are so many ways to get help from animals to peoples and there are some special animals we can get helps lots to make our mind happy and keep our mental health stable. Dogs and fishes are the most popular in that. Let’s get to know about them in another next.