Our Human-Animal Bond
Since the beginning of time, it has been well documented that humans and animals have shared a bond. Today, many practitioners, including vets, counsellors, occupational therapists, and GPs are advocating for the incredible ways’ animals can improve our quality of live both physically and mentally.
Animal guardianship is one of the most common ways people interact with animals. Helping to provide important forms of social and emotional support, which can reduce loneliness and improve their overall quality of life.
These unique relationships can help build wonderful bonds which can benefit can benefit us in many ways, here are just a few:
Wellbeing
Having a pet can help to reduce stress, loneliness, and can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Cuddles with your furry friend reduce levels of cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) and instead help release ‘happy hormones’ such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine in both of you.
Therapy pets are increasingly being introduced in hospitals and care homes, with these special little heroes helping patients feel more positive.
Keeping Active
Having a pet will keep you active, whether you are out for walkies, or just playing around the house. In turn, this can improve and aid our long-term health through helping to lower Body Mass Indexes, reduced cholesterol levels, and healthier hearts.
Responsible Animal Guardianship
In the UK, there is a rise in loneliness, especially elderly people who may feel cut-off from society. Sharing our lives with animals can often bring a whole new set of responsibilities. Learning how to care for your animal companion offers great opportunity for growth, as well as that all-important sense of purpose.
Discover Common Interests
Pets provide their owners with so much more than just their own companionship. In fact, having a pet can also help us form human friendships. For dog walkers, this might seem like old news, but it is very often the case where we find a common interest with others, which helps us make new friends and expand our social networks.
Offering a Happy, Secure Forever Home
Sadly, for many reasons’ animals are abandoned and are relinquished to animal rescue centres and shelters. However, these centres are often full of homeless animals all desperately waiting for a loving and forever home. By offering a rescue animal a home you are helping to free up another space for a vulnerable animal in need.
