EDITORIAL: Benefits of pets
THE media has been filled recently with warnings about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of many persons, causing some to seek medical assistance and leading to the explosion of virtual private therapy sessions and group therapy sessions to teach these persons coping mechanisms for their mental health problems. The spotlight on mental health is welcome because many older persons do not view mental health problems as the serious issues that they are. In their view, a person is either “crazy” and certifiable with dangerous or unpredictable patterns, or they are just incapable of handling life. This is far from the case as more research is done into the area of psychiatric health, new types of mental health diseases are discovered which could be the explanation for why certain people have particular personality traits.
Mental health disorders are also more prevalent than originally believed. In the US, the National Institute for Mental Health recorded that approximately 26% of adults over the age of 18 had a diagnosable mental disorder per year. This was explained as 1 in 4 adults while some other organisations suggest that the statistics are around 1 in 5 adults. This means that in almost every organisation or business, there may be at least one person suffering. The statistics also show that many people suffer from more than one disorder at a time.
One way to manage mental health and to prevent triggers is pet ownership. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets help persons to manage loneliness and depression. This has become especially important recently with multiple lockdowns and reduced socialisation. Pets offer companionship in that they are often present and rely heavily on their owners for care and attention. The CDC also found that pets can increase owner’s fitness levels by motivating them to move to play with them and take them on walks outdoors. This can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and stress levels. All of these things can have a positive effect on mental health. The main pets which can have mental health benefits are cats and dogs, however fish are known to assist with anxiety. Cats and dogs are intuitive to the needs of humans. Dogs especially are capable of sensing emotional distress and offering their presence as comfort in their effort to cheer up their owner. One online image of a man coming home from a long day of work displayed his continued sad demeanour when entering an empty house and his inevitable smile when entering a home where he is enthusiastically greeted by a pet.
A pet’s reliance on its owner and unconditional love can give these owners a sense of purpose, which they may be lacking. Pets also provide the opportunity for their owners to socialise more easily. This is because people feel comfortable asking strangers questions about their pets, which creates an icebreaker; this is particularly useful for persons who have difficulty socialising and making friends. Dogs can also provide a source of protection in social situations by warding off unwanted advances; cats can also be very protective of their owners.
A recent article in The Guardian explained how the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified human need for touch. People who live alone can be adversely affected by lockdowns without even realising that social touch such as hugs, handshakes and high fives, is lacking and causing them to feel a sense of loneliness.
Although interaction with a pet cannot completely replace human contact, it can still help fill the void.
All in all, pets are a great option for persons who suffer from mental health disorders. However, pet ownership is still a major decision which should be researched and discussed prior, so that there is no regret or abandonment after the decision is made.