How Pets Improve Our Health & Well Being

Pets Make Our Lives Better
Animal lovers know: Pets not only give us companionship and unconditional love, they play a key role in the quality of our life. And scientific research has shown that pets - especially dogs and cats - help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, encourage exercise, and even improve your cardiovascular health.

Our Purry and Furry Friends Keep Us Healthier
It's really hard to lounge about all day and watch TV when your dog or cat is begging for attention. Studies have shown that pet owners are healthier and more active than non-pet-owners. Whether you're tossing a squeaky-mouse around for your cat or taking your dog on a walk or a hike, you're getting exercise. Dog owners are likely to do more walking, which is great for your health and mood.

Say YES to Pets and NO to Allergies!
Contrary to popular belief, it seems owning a pet does not make you more susceptible to allergies. Studies suggest that being exposed to a pet early in life may decrease your risk of animal allergies later on. Research shows that children who grow up around animals tend to have a stronger immune system and a lower risk of developing allergies, asthma and eczema. Those who had a pet in their home during infancy were approximately 50 percent less likely to develop an allergic reaction to animals later on in life.

Reduces Blood Pressure and Stress
Slogans such as 'Get well, get a dog' not only sound charming, they are based on real science. Studies suggest that pets reduce stress more than human support at times. During stressful times, their unconditional love and the fact that they don't judge us often make pets the best support system. Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure.
Owning a pet can actually help reduce your blood pressure.

Help Improve Our Outlook & Mood
In addition to boosting self-esteem, pets can also reduce the amount of loneliness we feel and reduce our negativity. Research has shown pet owners exhibit stronger self-esteem than non-pet-owners, and are more extroverted and less fearful than people who don't own pets. Petting an animal causes the release of endorphins (our "feel-good" neurotransmitters) which have an extremely positive impact on our mood and general well-being.

Our Helpers and Friends
Animals make a valuable contribution to human health and recovery. They have a positive effect on physical and mental health, give us emotional support, and be our calm anchor in stressful situations. Animals reduce the fear of their owner in threatening situations; they guide the blind; they warn those in danger of diabetic or epileptic fits. Pet therapy has become a proven and vital tool in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions and disorders — including dementia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Animals help us in so many ways, from professional support as guide dogs for the blind or as therapy dogs, to simply offering us love and companionship in our every day life.

Pets Are Furry, Hairy, Teachers.
Pets teach us - and our children - many lessons, including responsibility and compassion. They show us how to live in the moment, how to overcome anger, how to play, how to be loyal, and how to love openly and fully. Ultimately, these lessons help us to be better people.

Adopting a Pet Isn't Just Good for Your Pet, It's Good for You Too!
One of the best ways to give back is to save a life by adopting from a shelter or rescue. That special furry friend is going to experience all the love you can give, and it will give it back a thousand times. You can change their life and they will change yours as well.

Soulmates: Your BFF For Life
Leveraging all of the amazing and inspirational power of our pets, it's no wonder over 78 million dogs and over 85 million cats are owned just in the United States alone! We need them, and they need us - a priceless union.