Jennifer Slocum
Mrs. Rogers
English 101
24 March 2007
Dogs are an Antidote

Dating back to the dawn of human civilization, the idea that animals have healing powers is an idea that has often been raised. “Dogs are an antidote to depression and an easy pill to take,” says Steve Reiman, president of Therapy Dogs in Vermont, about his belief in the importance of therapy dogs. (Vermont therapy dogs). Reiman adds that dogs divert a person’s attention from the pressure of everyday stress, and help people endure emotional issues. They have a therapeutic and calmative effect. (Vermont therapy dogs). Today Americans are living longer, and sometimes alone. Due to this, a pet may help with the loneliness in a household. One source states dogs can add a new meaning to life, giving one the sense of responsibility. (Pets help people). In an Internet article called “Paws for healing” it states, “A dog’s unconditional love and willingness to please translates into almost countless benefits for patients, family members, students, and caretakers.” (Healing paws). Given these testimonials, and research it has been proven that the advantages of owning a dog outweigh the disadvantages. In fact, dogs improve physical and mental health so much that they are now being trained as therapy dogs to help those in need.
Before everyone goes out and buys a puppy, there are a lot of safety facts that must be considered. Though the benefits of having a pet outweigh the risks, there are some unhealthy side effects which most of the time can be prevented. For instance, allergies are a side effect that may lead people to believe that they are not able to own a pet. However, a person who is allergic to a pet, often prevent outbreaks by taking an allergy prescribed medicine. Also, another issue concerning the disadvantages of having an animal present in the household is the effect the pet may have on younger children. An article entitled “The Health Benefits of Pets” states:
There has been some concern that children who establish too intense of a relationship with a pet may suffer in the development of sophisticated and meaningful relationships with other people. (Health benefits of pets).
It is important to remember that choosing to have an animal is something that must be done according to the lifestyles of those who chose to make the purchase. One source stated that more than half of American households have chosen to incorporate a pet into their life. (Health Benefits of pets). This statistic proves that many households are aware of the disadvantages of having a pet, but chose to welcome them into their families.
According to a study by Geoff Davis, contact with animals can literally improve human health. Along with the mental aspects of owning a pet, a lot of the physical health is poured out while keeping and maintaining one. (Therapy on four). In an article about “How Pets Help Health”, it states that in 1990, the study of one thousand medical patients found that dog owners visit their doctors sixteen percent less. (How Pets Help Health). For instance, a pet like a dog can help regain strength after an injury or surgery by taking it for walks, playing ball, or brushing its coat. All physical aspects of taking care of the animal ultimately help improve your recovery time and overall fitness. One Internet article said that pet owners reduce the risk of heart disease because people with pets have shown lower cholesterol and blood pressure. (Mate or Mutt). An Internet article about stockbrokers stated when considering personal professions of people’s lives, a stockbroker is usually considered a stressful job. However, research shows that stockbrokers without pets are said to have a higher blood pressure than those who own pets. This may be because of the comfort an animal can give to someone after a hard day at work. (Mate or Mutt).
Aside from the physical advantages of having a pet, there are three important mental aspects that prove to be beneficial to pet owners, as stated by “Mate or Mutt”. These three aspects are: Stimulating good behavior, relieving stress, and heightening esteem. With these three roles that pets play in their owners lives, the mental advantages they bring is more than enough to create a happy environment.
Pets in a lot of ways have the ability to create and stimulate good behavior in their owners. “Healing Paws”, an Internet article reports, that the psychological benefits may include increased socialization and interaction with others. This starts at a young age with children, as dogs begin to help develop nurturing skills. (Healing paws). One Internet article says both of these benefits help bring out good behavior and add to the idea that pets are more than just something to take for a walk and feed. Also, pets are now being incorporated into workplaces, where they are said to be reducing stress and improving mental and physical health of employees. (Mate or Mutt).
Pets are the last thing on people’s mind when it comes to kicking back and being relieved of the day’s frustration. However it’s known that animal contact appears to remarkably increase relaxation and reduce stress. By having a pet, it allows owners to get their minds off of their daily issue, and gives them something to do rather than dwell on their problems. Believe it or not, a new study published in the issue of “The journal of Psychosomatic Medicine”, suggests, “A few minutes alone with a pet might do even more to reduce someone’s stress than talking about troubles with a best friend or spouse.” (Mate or Mutt). This quote intertwines with the idea that no matter what the abilities or disabilities a person may have, dogs or pets do not treat people any different, therefore posing and serving as a positive role model, suggests one source. (Mending Hearts with Loving Paws). A positive role model is a key factor in a child’s life, and now parents and older siblings are not home as much, therefore a pet can assume the important position in a child’s development.
“Love is the primary need in an animal’s life,” according to the British Veterinary Association. (Pet Health). It is important for owners’ health and pet’s health to establish this love with their pets. The happier and healthier the pet is, the happier and healthierthe pet owner will be. A pet has a big impact on the mood of a human. I believe it is very hard to turn down a pet when it wants to spend time with one by a yelp or a request for a walk. One source states that, it is proven that while walking a pet much of the daily stress is relieved. (Pets Stressed Out). So, Americans should be more aware of their pet’s happiness. One Internet article said that somewhere between 30% and 60% of pets are overweight due to too many treats and not enough exercise. (Pets Stressed Out). The pets that have happier and longer lives tend to stay at their ideal weight just like humans, states Sage Holloway. (Pet Health). The more fit and healthy a dog is, the longer it is able to live and be a companion to a person. Persons and pets emotions are linked together as if a team. If a dog is unhappy then he is not capable of relieving its owner’s stress. So, just as much as a pet has an impact on people, people have an impact on their pets.
How is the stress that people are carrying effect your pet? Americans today seem to have more stressful lives, and it has effects on your animal. In an Internet article about “Are your pets stressed out?”, Sage Holloway states, “When we allow our emotions and mental state to be affected by the stressful factors in our world, we become sick, and our animals become sick with us.” (Pets Stressed Out). Animals are very sensitive to their environment, one source states. (Pet Health). Animals do not adapt to change very well, such as a new home. Pets often become confused and worried under these circumstances. A new member in the family, for instance, a baby or another animal might also affect the mood of the pet. Other changes in environment such as weather and seasonal changes can upset a pet, says one Internet source. (Pet Health). Pets, like humans, seem to get upset about the changes that occur in their life. It is very important to make sure your pet is not too stressed out, because pets do not have the ability to express their feelings.
Another attribute of having an animal is its ability to heighten ones esteem. Dogs serve as a positive impact on a young child’s life; they make the child feel as though they are important in the animal’s life, and also offer’s a sense of achievement. One Internet source mentioned, that the psychological benefits may include increased socialization and interaction with others. (Healing paws).
More and more people are starting to notice all the positive effects of having a pet. Therapy dogs are now in nursing homes, and in hospitals. It has been proven by one internet article that a patient who normally would not get dressed willingly, would quickly get out of bed on their own the days they knew that the pets would be visiting. (Vermont therapy dogs). Therapy dogs provide people who have disabilities, mentally and physically with a sense of independence. (How Pets Help Health). These dogs also serve as their partner’s ears, and eyes. I believe therapy dogs serve an important role in the people’s lives that have disabilities, and they need to become more recognized and available in our society.












Works Cited

Becker, Marty. The Healing Power of Pets : Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy. 1st Ed. 1954.
Dee, Donna. “Mate or Mutt: who gives the best stress relief?” 1999: Teoma. Carlisle High School Library. 10 Mar 2005 <http://www.fitstuff.com/articles/pets.html>.
Healing, Paws for. “Mending Hearts with Loving Paws and Guiding Hands.” 2005. Paws
for Healing. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.pawsforhealing.org>.
“Health Benefits of Pets.” 10 September 1987. National Institutes of Health. Office of Medical Applications of Research. 10 Mar 2007 <http://consensus.nih.gov/ta/003/003_statement.htm>.
“How Pets Help People.” 2004 The Humane Society of the United States. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/how_pets_help_people/>.
Howie, Ann. “Presence of Pets Affects People.” 1995. Delta Society. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.deltasociety.org>.
“Pet Health Council.” Nov 2004. The British Veterinary Association. 10 Mar 2007 <http://pethealthcouncil.co.uk>.
Reiman, Steve. “Therapy Dogs in the Longs-Term Health Care Environment.” Therapy Dogs of Vermont. 10 Mar 2007 <http://www.therapydogs.org>.