My Bestfriend

Pets are more than just furry and cuddly companions.  They are also beneficial to their owner’s health and well-being! My friend, Shaun Olmstead, swears to the health benefits he gets from his pooches and kitties! He says taking care of his pets increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities. Walking his dogs for 20 minutes five times a week helps him keep fit.

Research shows that pets are good for cardiovascular health: Owning a pet can decrease blood pressure and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have also found that pet owners are more likely than people without pets to survive after hospitalization for a heart attack, and that owning a pet lowers anxiety and decreases feelings of loneliness and depression.

Pets also increase the opportunity for socialization — they’re a natural topic of conversation and offer a chance to connect with other pet lovers. Pets also help in increasing mental acuity.  Simple chores like remembering to walk and feed your pet exercises your brain, and it increases your sense of responsibility, which is important to people.

The emotional bond between an owner and a dog, cat, or other pet can be as intense as those between humans, and it may offer many of the same psychological benefits. Caring for an animal offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Before getting a pet, decide honestly what you want in one. Some people want to have a more active lifestyle, some desire companionship, and others are looking for protection. In any case, you as the owner should work to foster a genuine relationship with your pet. Take into account what you will be able to handle, in terms of time, attention, and activity. Regardless of your age and abilities, you will reap the benefits of a pet if you pick the right one for your lifestyle.

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