Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

Health Benefits of Animal Companionship

Miriam R. Torres
RWS 1301
Brenda Gallardo
October 10th, 2015

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to recognize the different effects and results animals
companionship have on different people, such as the average person, elderly, children, people
with physical disabilities, and those with mental health issues. Social interaction with animals
has been proven to have a positive feedback within the above-mentioned types of human beings.
Moreover, this paper will focus on the research and analyzing the benefits animal companionship
brings. Also, in this research paper the methods on how to improve animal companionship will
be mentioned, and the challenges owning a pet brings to any average human, and one with any
kind of disabilities.

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

It has been scientifically proven by The Journal of Veterinary Behavior by OHaire that
animal companionship has many benefits on human health. Such as, getting out of depression,
and decreasing anxiety. There are many companies and commercial businesses that do not allow
pet owners to walk in with their animal friends. These companies and or businesses should now
consider all the improvements having an animal as companionship brings towards victims of
certain mental diseases. However, having pets does not only benefit people with a disease or
disabilities, but, also it benefits the average human, in getting out of the comfort zone and getting
out of the daily routine.

There are many articles, research, and journals that prove how having pets increases a
human being self-esteem. Such as, the article written by Robinson and Segal, on Help Guide,
having a pet persuades humans into starting workout session and even going out for a run. Any
kind of pets helps a human into increasing their social life and their social skills since it becomes

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

an interesting conversation starter. On The Health Benefits of Dogs (and Cats) by Segal and
Robinson a pet can add a different routine to your day by requiring a feeding schedule, needing
exercise daily. Also a pet increases the exercise routine by having to take daily your pet walking,
running or even hiking. A dog or a cat are also less likely to suffer from depression. Another fact
that Robinson and Segal add to why pets benefit human health is on how an animal helps on
losing weight. A study by Harvard Health Publications proves that a person that owns a dog and
takes them for a walk for at least 20 minutes will more likely lose at least 14.4 pounds a year.
Social life is also an important factor in human life that has many health impacts, and a pet will
increase the opportunities of meeting new people and having a more active social life, by
meeting people with the same interest and creating new topic to talk about.
A person that usually falls into depression is a person that feels lonely. On the article
written by Brewer, Brief Summary of Emotional Support Animal for the Michigan State
University College of Law, it proves that animal companionship has plenty of emotional support
towards people that are suffering from depression. Pets offer us a calming presence that allows
us to feel a comfortable companionship. Pets offer human beings unconditional love and
acceptance reducing depression to such level that a person will no longer feel unloved. Having a
pet brings a person a responsibility, since, the pets has to be fed, washed, and even needs at least
once a week a walk to the park. In conclusion, a person that is suffering from depression will be
able to distract themselves and their depression will decrease, because a pet will help you
socialize, a pet will companion and love that person unconditionally, and will offer a calm
companionship and a distracting responsibility.
Anxiety is a common sickness in the United States; anxiety consists of nervousness, fear,
apprehension and worrying for many reasons. This disorder affects our health and our social life.

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

However, owning a pet is also a factor that reduces the effects of the common disorder.
According to Jacqueline Marshal, on The Living with Anxiety Webpage, she wrote an article
called Pet Therapy for Anxiety. In this article the author make a she states Pet therapy helps
people manage symptoms of schizophrenia, PTSD, major depression, and though it is not
mentioned as frequently, anxiety. The author is not only relying on encouraging people to own
a dog, but, that there are pet therapies in which the victims of this diseases may acquire some
emotional support. But how do therapy dogs help anxiety victims? Marshall states that therapy
dogs or cats do not give a person any kind of judgment but they are only a companionship that is
helping them through their hard times. Another point out the author has on this reading is that
owning a pet or going to pet therapies that having a pet companionship give a person some kind
of protection and safety when the animal is around, specially from those suffering from anxiety.

Not only do people with this kind of diseases are benefited by animal
companionship, but also it helps those that have experience almost everything in their time on
earth. Elderly tend to spend most of their time alone, and because of this start feeling lonely and
sometimes they even start craving their end of their lives. However, they do not have to feel

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

alone after their kids and or their partner is gone. Pets are the best companionship for a person
that is their last years improving their life spam and giving them a reason to stay a little longer in
this planet. In the article Benefits of Animal Companionship for the Elderly by Rachel Curit on
One Green Planet, the author has many important and valuable reasons on why should an elderly
person should totally consider owning a pet. Some of the reasons are the improvements of
physical health by taking the person out of the house ad forcing them to start moving inside or
outside of the house. Curit also mentions how owning a pet is the best weapon a person can have
when fighting loneliness. There are many more benefits owning a pet bring to elderly just like for
the other diseases such as unconditional love. In conclusion, according to Rachel Curit an elderly
person who is currently facing loneliness should take in consideration owning a pet or going
once in a while to pet therapies.
The purpose of this paper was to recall all the benefits owning a pet can bring toward any
kind of people all the way from children to those with depression anxiety, and elderly people.
Not only do pets bring companionship but sometime it gives the owner true love that is not
demanding to be loved back. A pet improves any human health by improving the physical health,
their socializing skills, overcoming depression and the feeling of loneliness.

Running Head: HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP

Works Cited
1.

OHaire, M. (2010). Companion animals and human health: Benefits, challenges, and the

road ahead. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 5(5). 226-234.

2.

Banfield, A. (2015). Do cats make good pets? Sanford veterinary clinic.

http://www.sanfordvet.com.au/pet-info/pet-articles-cats/126-do-cats-make-good-pets.html

3.

Kruger, K., Trachtenber, S., Serpell, J. (July 2004). Can animals help humans heal?

Animal-assisted interventions in adolescent mental health. Center for the interaction of animals
and society University of Pennsylvania school of veterinary medicine. 1-36.

4.

Robinson, L., Segal, J. (October 2015). The health benefits of dogs (and cats). Help

guide.
5.

Curit, R. (August 2014). Benefits of animal companionship for the elderly. One green

planet.
6.

Brewer, K. (2005). Brief summary of emotional support animals. Michigan state

university college of law.

7.

Casciotti, D., Zuckerman, D. (2015). Pets and health: The impact of companion animals.

National center for health research.