The Role of Pets in Mental Health

Our pets are cherished companions who support us through thick and thin, good times and bad. As members of our families, they not only play a big role in our day-to-day lives, but they also have a big impact on our mental health. From sparking joy when you play together or reducing stress and anxiety on gloomy days, their role is profound. Additionally, pets can also play a larger role as service animals helping those who need extra care.

We’ll be exploring the vast benefits of pets on mental health​, including the ways pets contribute to mental health, provide emotional support as service animals, help those with mental health conditions, and why some people need a pet for mental health.

Understanding Pet Therapy And Mental Health

Research consistently shows that pet ownership can significantly improve our well-being, with most pet owners revealing that their pets positively affect their mental health. Pet therapy and mental health links have been widely shown, as interacting with pets can lower stress-related hormones in just five minutes of petting a dog or cat. Releasing serotonin and dopamine promotes relaxation and happiness and reduces stress and anxiety.

Pets provide a sense of companionship that can alleviate feelings of loneliness, which can be particularly beneficial for older adults or individuals living alone. Pets can also encourage pet owners to be more physically active, whether its regular walks or playtime at home. This is not only beneficial for the pet but also helps owners to maintain a healthier lifestyle, which is crucial for mental well-being.

The Role of Service & Emotional Support Animals

Service animals, particularly dogs, are trained to assist individuals with specific mental health conditions. They can help to mitigate the challenges faced by their handlers, and in the event of anxiety attacks, they can alert for help, or provide grounding during moments of distress.

Therapy dogs help to reduce anxiety and improve mood among those who interact with them, and depending on their training, they can provide comfort in settings such as hospitals, schools and care homes. Studies have shown that therapy animals can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals and some charity organisations arrange visits where volunteers bring trained pets to interact with those unable to own animals themselves, which has been shown to uplift spirits and provide emotional relief. In addition to therapy dogs and service animals, emotional support animals are also about to support mental health. However, unlike traditional service dogs, emotional support animals do not require specific training but are prescribed by mental health professionals to provide comfort. Emotional support animals can be any animal, unlike certain roles which are usually limited to dogs.

Addressing Mental Health Challenges

For individuals suffering from depression, anxiety or another mental health disorder or challenge, having a pet can provide purpose and routine. The responsibility of caring for a pet can encourage structure in daily life, which can be particularly beneficial for those struggling mentally. For those with depression, regular interaction with pets can help alleviate some of the associated symptoms by providing companionship and promoting physical activity. Similarly, the calming presence of a pet can help reduce anxiety levels and foster a sense of security. Pet therapy has also been shown to be beneficial to those with autism, as it can help to enhance social skills and reduce isolation in children.

Our pets not only offer us unconditional love and companionship, but they also shower us with emotional support that can significantly improve mental health outcomes. For those unable to own pets, volunteering at animal shelters or participating in therapy programs can also provide the benefits of interacting with animals. Whether you have a pet for mental health or just for companionship, there are many benefits of pets on mental health​, and we must show them how much they mean to us by giving them the best care possible.

At Ripponlea, our team is highly experienced in supporting your pet. From general checkups and advice to specialised treatments, our team can help. Whether your dog is young or old, big or small, schedule an appointment with us to ensure your rescue has the best quality of life!