Pet Therapy

It’s that time of year again. Burnout is fast approaching. You could meditate. You could attend a yoga class or go for a run. You could indulge in a long hot bath. All of these could most certainly help. But have you considered giving Rover a pat on the head? More and more, research is beginning to suggest that the faithful pet may indeed be man’s best friend, especially when it comes to easing our stresses and anxieties.

The medical world is no stranger to this idea as animal-assisted therapy (ATT) is progressively being implemented in retirement villages, hospitals and even some schools to assist those students with learning disabilities. So while we think we may do so much for our own animals, perhaps we shouldn’t underestimate what they may in fact be doing for us.

They are comforting balls of fur.

Psychiatrists maintain that, in some instances, even the simple act of stroking a pet can help to reduce levels of anxiety. Not only is it a soothing and repetitive act, but human beings respond positively to contact, and that little cuddle might be just what we need after a gruelling day’s work.

They remind us that playtime is still important.

Throwing the ball for your over-eager Labrador, or spending some time with your feline friend and a piece of string, are not only welcome distractions. They are that tiny voice whispering in our heads, to simply let things go sometimes and have a bit of fun. These small instances of play can also elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, leaving us feeling more calm and relaxed afterwards.  

It feels good to be needed.

We could stew in our heads all evening long, allowing thoughts of today and thoughts of tomorrow to overwhelm us, but our pets often save us from this terrible fate. They need to be walked. They need to be fed. They need a hug. This delivers us straight back into the present moment, and returns to us a sense of control and accomplishment over small and manageable tasks.  

They come with health benefits.

Pet owners have been found to have lower levels of triglyceride and cholesterol (both indicators of heart disease) than those without pets. Pet owners over 65 also made 30 percent fewer visits to the doctor. Another study documented that when people with borderline hypertension adopted a dog, within five months their blood pressure had dropped significantly. And while you may think that your cat’s gentle vibrations when you stroke her are just a sign of contentment, purring has in fact been linked to lowering stress levels, decreasing symptoms of Dyspnoea, and even strengthening the bones.

So it is no wonder that creative agency, Soul Pancake, decided to set up a little experiment, providing stressed-out strangers with some much-needed kitten therapy. Taken into a glass box, participants were instructed to put on headphones.  They were then led through a guided meditation and told to listen to the sound of gentle purring. Little did they know that one by one, adorable kittens would enter the box, filling it with their infectious playfulness.

Of course, most of us do not go home to a box-full of kittens. But that one furry playmate awaiting our return may just be all we need.