Our topic this month involves animals and public health and, while it’s true that there are diseases pets carry than can impact humans, there are many ways that animals actually help improve public health.

Most of us are familiar with studies that have proven companion animals benefit seniors with their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.  Yet, anyone with a companion animal in their life can experience improved health, bounce back better after a major health crisis, and potentially live a longer life.

Studies conducted by the American Heart Association conclude that “your four-legged friend may help you do better after a heart attack or stroke and may help you live a longer, healthier life, especially if you live alone.” https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/do-dog-owners-live-longer. This doesn’t mean that if you adopt a dog you’re magically healthy, but rather that pet parents, dog parents in particular, tend to lead healthier lifestyles that includes daily exercise in the form of walking your dog or cat, interacting with other pet parents, and suffering less from conditions such as stress and loneliness that can impact physical well-being.  

The study made other impressive conclusions including:

• Heart attack survivors who live alone had a 33% reduced risk of death if they had a dog in their home, while survivors without a pet who lived with another human only had a 15% reduced risk.
• Stroke survivors who lived by themselves had a 27% reduced risk of death if they had a dog, while survivors without dogs who lived with another human only had a 12% reduced risk.
• Dog parents are 31% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than non-dog parents.

Dog parents interested in more information on this topic should also check out Get Healthy, Get a Dog, which is a special health report created by the Harvard Medical School and the Angell Animal Medical Center – https://www.health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/get-healthy-get-a-dog-the-health-benefits-of-canine-companionship.

But cat lovers shouldn’t despair!  Simply having any pet in the home decreases loneliness and stress, reduces blood pressure, and provides the pet parent with a sense of purpose in caring for that pet.  Per the Harvard Medical School study, “The emotional benefits of having a pet can translate into physiological ones as well,” including boosting oxytocin or “feel good” chemicals, reducing anxiety, and diminishing the sense of isolation that may come with living alone.

Other ways animals help with public health issues include those specially trained to respond to natural disasters, search and rescue dogs that find lost children and adults, assist in police work, function as therapy animals visiting seniors and hospital patients or comforting those affected by mass shootings, and other ways we probably haven’t even thought of yet!  As far as I’m concerned, the benefits of having animals in our lives far outweigh the risks. And, the best way to mitigate risk is to do your research and be a well-informed and well-prepared pet parent.