“Having a pet means that someone needs you and you have a responsibility to show up for them,” Carrie said in the article. “This provides purpose, as well as schedule and structure to one’s life. In addition, being active naturally reduces stress.”

Among other topics, Carrie shared her “Five Ways To Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet” in the interview. Check them out:

1. Prepare: Make sure you are choosing the right pet and that you have plans in place for unforeseen events.

2. Be Present: Put aside time to spend with your pet where you are not distracted, and you can both enjoy each other’s company.

3. Pay Attention: Notice when you or your pet might need extra support and take action to visit with your own therapist or set up a veterinary appointment as needed.

4. Do New Things: Join a cat lovers group, or make a point to get to know the other folks walking dogs in your neighborhood. It will stretch you outside your comfort zone and gives you the added benefit of a larger community network.

5. Educate Yourself: Learning basic animal behavior will help you and your pet develop an even closer bond. You will be able to more fully understand how they communicate with you in many small ways all the time.

Click here to read the full interview with Carrie in Authority Magazine!

The post PAWS NY in Authority Magazine appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

Therefore, there is no better time to review all the psychological benefits of pet guardianship. According to the World Health Organization, “1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world” live with a mental health disorder. Anxiety and Depressive disorders are the most common, encompassing a broad range of negative emotions including sadness, distress, or fear. A growing body of evidence suggests that the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) can reduce many symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Specifically, research has indicated that pet guardianship and the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) produces the following results:

• improvement of social attention, behavior, interpersonal interaction, and mood
• reduction of stress-related parameters such as cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure
• reduction of fear and anxiety
• improvement of physical health, especially cardiovascular health
• increased trustworthiness of and trust toward other persons
• reduction in aggressive behavior
• enhanced levels of empathy towards others

At PAWS NY, our mission is to keep people and pets together, and protect the human-animal bond that is so psychologically and physically beneficial. And we see the impact of this every day.

“My dog is basically my savior in life,” said a PAWS NY client. “He brings me more joy and stability than anything else in the world.”

In honor of World Mental Health Day, take some time to snuggle your furry friends and enjoy the emotional and mental health benefits of your bond.

The post How Pets Improve Mental Health appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

For instance, check out some research and data below that backs up this important human-animal bond that is so physically and psychologically valuable to our clients.

Dogs & Exercise

The most obvious benefit to owning a pet, especially a dog, is that you get more physical exercise while walking and playing with your pup. 

In 2011, researchers from Michigan State University reported that among dog owners who took their pets for regular walks, nearly 50% exercised an average of 30 minutes a day at least five days a week, which is considered moderate or vigorous exercise. By comparison, only about a third of those without dogs got that much regular exercise.

Pets & Mental Health

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident how much cats, dogs, and other pets can brighten our moods and keep us level and steady throughout the toughest times.

Several studies back up this anecdotal evidence, including a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, which revealed that seniors who owned dogs were “buffered from the impact of stressful life events on physician utilization.” A 2013 article in Western Journal of Nursing Research reported that for older adults (age 55-84), a high attachment to a pet has been associated with lower levels of loneliness.

Additionally, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) recently found that 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership. HABRI also highlighted the top 5 mental health benefits of having a pet, including alleviating stress, reducing loneliness, and fighting depression.

Pets & Heart Health

In the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, researchers noticed a link between cat ownership and a decreased risk of dying from heart attack or stroke, calling cat ownership a “novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals.” When individuals are stressed, just the sound of a cat’s purr can calm nerves and lower blood pressure.

In addition, a study released in Psychosomatic Medicine found that pet ownership of any kind has been associated with lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, and faster recovery during mental stress. In 2013, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a similar scientific statement suggesting that pet ownership (particularly dogs) may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Boosting Immunity

Even the younger individuals see health benefits from spending time with pets and animals. A team of researchers from the Department of Psychology at Wilkes University found that when college students spent only 18 minutes with a dog, the immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in their saliva increased, which is a sign of strong immune function.

In conclusion, the animal-human bond is one that is of utmost importance, and we’re proud to help vulnerable New Yorkers stay with their pets and keep this bond so strong.

The post How Owning a Pet Can Benefit Your Health appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.