Several years ago at my wife’s uncle’s funeral, we were surprise to see printed in the obituary the dog’s name listed before the son’s among her uncle’s survivors. However, as the son shared remarks about his dad, it became obvious that over the years his father had a much better relationship with his dog than with his son. Yet, as strange as this story might seem, whenever we are out of town and my wife calls home to check in on our adult children, her first question is not: “How are you all doing?” but, “How are my babies doing?”--referring to our two Shih Tzu dogs.
While this kind of devotion to pets is hard for non-pet owners to understand, pets are much more than furry loyal companions. According to numerous studies, they improve our health, both mental and physical, helping us to live longer and happier lives. Studies over the past 25 years have shown that stroking a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and heart rate and boost levels of the mood-related brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Heart attack sufferers recover more quickly and survive longer when they have a pet at home, and children who are exposed to pets early in life may have a reduced risk of allergies and asthma.
Studies performed in nursing homes and hospitals have proven that the elderly in particular can benefit from the companionship of a dog or cat. Having a pet to care for helps reduce boredom and encourages seniors to nurture themselves just as they are caring for their pets. Dogs and cats -- even a tank of goldfish -- calm frazzled nerves and ease anxiety and depression, according to research. One bipolar pet owner wrote: "When I was unstable my symptoms included extreme mania and severe depression, including three suicide attempts. I would have attempted suicide numerous other times if it had not been for my pets."[1] Recently, while I was counseling someone suffering from depression which was no longer responding to antidepressants, I not only recommended adopting a pet, but I accompanied the person to the rescue shelter to ensure that the adoption was made that day.
Depression is so prevalent that one woman in eight will experience clinical depression in her lifetime. It is the number one cause of disability in women. In fact, even though women are twice as likely to have depression, men are four times as likely to commit suicide. Over 6 million men in America have depression each year. However, this number is likely higher as many go unreported due to men not seeing a clinician; the signs and symptoms are often much different in men than in women and frequently go unrecognized and untreated, leading to personal, family and financial difficulties, and, in some cases, end in suicide. Siegel (1999) showed that AIDS-infected men without pets were two times more likely to report depression than AIDS-infected men who owned pets. Please do not be deceived. Christians too get depressed-sometimes very depressed; even to the point of suicide.
I am convinced that many singles that struggle with loneliness and urges to have a baby could benefit from owning a pet. In addition, I believe churches and other faith-based and government organizations should explore the creation of pet ownership programs for single women that might potentially aid in the curbing of unwed pregnancies.
Bottom line: Why do pets make us feel better? One reason is that all types of animals offer distractions from the worries of the day, because we naturally shift our attention to them when they are around. Another reason is that pets provide an opportunity to touch and stroke another living thing, which has been shown to be of value to our mental and physical health. Pets also provide an incredible amount of unconditional love and acceptance. (As comforting and loving as our dogs are, unfortunately one (Peppi) suffers from anxiety and will probably one day be on antidepressants himself. And no, I have not and will not consider getting him a psychotherapist. However, we probably should consider letting Peppi adopt a pet for his depression.) Finally, animals are a gift from God created for our physical, emotional, and spiritual benefit. The bible says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”[2] And “everything” include dogs, cats, and Guinea pigs. By the way, I’m hoping to one day implement a “Family, Friends, and Pets Day” at our church.
[1] Terry Coyier, Depression and Pet Ownership
[2] 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
