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How Pets Improve Our Mental Health

About the Author: Hi everyone! My name is Pearl Polito. I am a new Clinical Intern here at Allow Health, and I am so excited to be here! I will be contributing monthly to our blog, I hope you enjoy! If you ever want to leave a comment to recommend ideas for future posts, please feel free to do so :)

 

 



Photo of the author’s two mini golden doodles – Shadow and Louie (from left to right) 

 

 

 

For my first post, I wanted to talk about something near and dear to me, my love for animals! I have two mini golden doodles who brighten my day every day. I’m sure for those of you reading who also have pets, you know the joy that comes when you spend quality time with them. They can turn our gloomy days into something beautiful by just looking at us!  

There is actually scientific reasoning for why we feel better when around our furry friends. It’s been discovered that interacting with animals can lower our levels of cortisol – a stress related hormone. Our blood pressure also seems to decrease when interacting with animals.  

Dogs and cats specifically are very present animals. They are attentive, compassionate, and aware. These characteristics are the foundations of mindfulness. People generally have to take time to learn these foundations, whereas animals are born with these characteristics.  

The companionship that comes along with having a pet can help us manage our anxiety and reduce stress. For my fellow dog lovers - Dogs help promote social connection as well. They give us a reason to go out into the world and get some fresh air and maybe even meet people on days we may not have done so without having a dog. Our bond with our animals can also help us feel less alone. Our pets are present. We can see, hear, touch, and even talk to them which brings joy, connection, and physical contact.  

I hope this post brought a smile to your face as you thought about your fur babies, both present and past. They are truly a gift to this world and the impact they make on our mental health is extraordinary! 

 

 




Melody (Tabby Cat) and Murphy Micro-Mini Goldendoodle) Dr. Marybeth Heathers furbabies 

 

References: 

The Power of Pets; Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions (February 2018). NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets#:~:text=Interacting%20with%20animals%20has%20been,support%2C%20and%20boost%20your%20mood

 

Tahir Tak, M.D. No Bones About It: Dogs Are Good For Your Health (May 24, 2023). Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dogs-are-good-for-your-health 

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