Sarah Southard, DVM
Pets and Livestock
Earlier today I had to make a dreaded shopping trip to a retailer that I would rather avoid when possible. With a lengthy list in hand, I made my way through the store retrieving the necessities (and a few not-so-necessary items too). Things went well. I found everything that I needed, and headed home.
While nothing adverse had happened while shopping, I found on my way home that my brain was scrambled. I couldn’t think clearly. Even as I began to fix supper, I just couldn’t get my head in the game. Then, I looked out one of our kitchen windows and was delighted to see that Gussie, my Brown Swiss heifer, had come across from the far side of the pasture to the nearest gate. I paused dinner preparations and went out for a visit.
Gussie is very much a pet, having been raised as a show calf. She isn’t your typical beef or dairy cow that doesn’t care for petting and such. I talked to her and gave her a nice grooming with her favorite curry comb. Much like a housecat, she likes under-the-jaw scratches the best.
We enjoyed each other’s company for several minutes before I figured I should probably return to cooking supper. I noticed, though, that these few minutes of slowing down and petting one of my many pets had seemed to reset my mind. It was no longer racing from one thing to another, unable to function efficiently. I was no longer addled and was overall more settled. I had just proven what many scientific studies have shown regarding companion animal ownership and interaction and its positive effects on stress levels and overall well-being in humans.
Petting a dog has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in humans. Cortisol is a stress hormone that, when chronically elevated, can have adverse effects on the immune system, blood sugar regulation, and weight control. Interacting with animals can increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with positive feelings. While most studies have involved dogs and cats, they certainly are not the only species that are effective. Decreased blood pressure and heart rate have been linked to various types of animal contact as well. Simply watching fish swim in an aquarium can offer heart health benefits.
Decreased anxiety and improved social interactions with humans have been observed in children with such diagnoses as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following positive companion animal interactions. Post-traumatic stress disorder patients report decreased anxiety after being paired with a service dog. Almost half of these patients were also able to decrease certain medications. It’s for good reason that therapy dogs are routinely brought into long-term care facilities to help decrease anxiety, stress, and depression in residents. Companion animal ownership and interaction has many potential health benefits for folks of all ages.
Though animal ownership may offer the most opportunities for consistent health advantages, it is possible to reap some good by simply “borrowing” others’ pets if pet ownership is not a good option for you. Helping to care for neighbors’ animals or volunteering in various capacities with shelters or rescues can be advantageous for your mental and physical well-being. Companion animals are a great tool in the box for helping manage and alleviate stresses in life. Whether you own pets or not, you may reap great rewards from furry, feathered, or scaly companions.
