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40 years ago my grandparents bought a fixer-up five acre farm in Lancaster County. They

spent years rebuilding it into a beautiful property. Of course owning a farm, one must fill it with

animals, so they did. They both adore animals so they filled the farm with horses, goats,

donkeys, swans, ducks, chickens, peacocks, dogs, cats, potbelly pigs, and the list goes on and on.

My grandparents are in their 80s now and they still live on the farm but they act and feel like

they are in their 60s. I think the reason they are still so young at heart and the reason they are in

impeccable shape and their overall health is due to the fact of them having animals around them.

Countless studies have been done to show the correlation between animals and human

health. Research has shown that individuals who have a pet are sick less, are able to recover

faster from serious health conditions, and are truly just happier. More and more individuals are

realizing the many health benefits that comes along with owning a pet; not only the physical

aspect but the social and mental health as well. Pets are being more widely accepted in nursing

homes. For someone who is living alone that individual does not receive much socialization and

the individual becomes reserved and at points hostile. Allowing animals in to visit gives the

person a sense of self-worth, happiness, something to love, touch, talk to, and animals also give

people undying affection. ”Reviewing 25 studies on the effects of pets on elderly people in

nursing homes… it was found that residents exposed to pets consistently smiled more and

became measurably more alert than those who did not encounter animals. Physically-aggressive

patients became more noticeably tolerant of people standing near them when an animal was

present…Animals normalize the environment, and allow people to be more appropriate, more at

ease.”("Pets for the Elderly Foundation").

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The interaction between pets and people is remarkable. Animals have a tremendous

impact on a person’s mental health that other individuals or medication would not be able to

attribute for. With more and more elderly adults living and the feeling of loneliness and isolation

rising having an animal around gives the person more interest in his or her life. “Pets give the

elderly something to care for, as well as providing an opportunity for exercise and socialization.

Taking care of a pet can also serve as an alarm clock for elderly people – reminding him to take

care of himself, too. In fact, animal companionship can dramatically improve the quality of life

and may even have a positive impact on longevity.” ("Pets for the Elderly Foundation"). Many

people see being “social” as a mental health trait, however, it is. Someone who is a pet owner has

the enhanced ability to socialize which directly correlates to an overall healthy state of mind.

“Pet interaction, whether active or passive, tends to lower anxiety levels in subjects, and thus

decrease the onset, severity, or progression of stress-related conditions.1 Furthermore, it is

thought that the reduction in blood pressure achieved through dog ownership can be equal to the

reduction achieved by changing to a low salt diet or cutting down on alcohol.” ("National

Research Center for Women and Families").

One of the obvious benefits of having a companion pet is cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is one of highest killers and steps to lower ones risk are extremely simple.

Instead of a Pop Tart for breakfast enjoy a bowl of Cheerios. Instead of having greasy, salty fries

with a burger, eat a salad. Or, the simplest preventative step, just pet a pet. In a study conducted

in 2002, researchers measured participants’ blood pressure and heart rate against participants

whom were not pet owners. The participants were put into a stressful situation, a timed math

exam, and the results showed that the individuals who had a pet had a lower resting heart rate

and blood pressure at the beginning of the test versus those who do not own a pet. The study also

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showed that the participants who did own pets had less spikes in their blood pressure and heart

rate readings during the experiment. This experiment also showed how quickly blood pressure

and heart rate dropped with the individuals who were pet owners. Finally, the study also showed

that when the individual’s pet was in the room with him or her that the individual made fewer

mistakes on the test. (Weil ). This study, along with countless others, shows the direct correlation

between animals and cardiovascular fitness in humans.

A few years ago a family friend suffered a severe stroke and was paralyzed on one side of

his body and his mind became partially handicapped. Prior to his accident, he was renowned

neurosurgeon and I always knew him as a very intelligent man. As part of his rehabilitation

therapy his family and his therapist would drive him out to our farm so he could get some

interaction. As soon as he saw all the different animals you could see his eyes immediately light

up and he became much more vocal. The therapist had him pick up a brush and brush our

miniature horse. Brushing our horse, Fannie, allowed him to use his stroke-affected side while

having fun. When he would come over for therapy with the animals it was always a new

situation for him. Getting him out of the retirement home and into a different setting definitely

had a positive impact on him. The therapist and his family noticed that when he had therapy at

the farm he was more energetic and more motivated.

After watching this experience and growing up around animals my whole life influenced

my decision in a career. Once I graduate from Alvernia I will continue my education for a

Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Therapy. I strongly believe in the powerful influence of

animals on humans and I think that Animal Rehabilitation Therapy will soon be a new frontier in

Rehabilitation techniques because of all the positive qualities it has.

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References

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"Pets and Health: The Impact of Companion Animals." National Research Center for

Women and Families. n. page. Web. 2 May. 2013. <www.center4research.org>.

"More Evidence Pets Lower Stress." Pets for the Elderly Foundation. (1999): n. page.

Web. 2 May. 2013. <www.petsfortheelderly.org>.

Weil, Andrew. "Health Benefits of Companion Animals." n. page. Web. 2 May. 2013.

<www.drweil.com>.