My toddler son and I take a weekly trip to Jasper General Nursing Home to visit with his “Me-Me” as well as (what seems like) half of the other residents. No visit to Grandma is complete without stopping by the bird cage for him to watch the six small birds (I believe they are Wrens, but I am no biologist) and laugh as they fly around.
At another end of the facility are two larger birds that will occasionally talk to you. In fact, I sometimes make a special trip down to have them whistle the theme song to “The Andy Griffith Show” with me. Throughout my career in healthcare management, I have been in hundreds of assisted living and nursing homes that had all mann
er of animals: cats, dogs, fish, birds and even lizards. But are these cute critters doing more than making the facility look good? Research says yes.
Studies in the past have shown that spending time with a dog, cat, or other animals can have a positive impact on mood and health. Moreover, pets can actually be lifesavers. One study found that owning a dog can lead to increased heart health. Why is this? Dog owners typically walk more which leads to exercise and healthy hearts.
Animals can also be stress soothers. Petting a cat or dog feels good. That can lower blood pressure and help your body release endorphins to help you relax all while decreasing the number of stress hormones that are secreted by the body.
The chatty bird boxes at Jasper General Nursing Home has another benefit: pets are social magnets. The psychology of this states that people connect with animals and, in turn, are more prone to connect with other human beings. Researchers interviewed handicapped people who reported that bypassers made eye contact with them more ofte
n and wanted to interact with them and their pets. Think that is crazy? When is the last time you saw a beautiful dog on a lease on the sidewalk and did not comment to the owner or reach down to pet it? It is practically irresistible!
Pets are not just for the elderly and infirm. Babies that are raised in families with pets have been shown to be less likely to develop allergies and asthma later in life. Most of the research points to exposing children to animals before the six-month mark. Also, it is great for older children to explore the world of animals and spark their creativity. And, if you grew up on a farm, you no doubt learned many life lessons about responsibility and character-building while taking care of the animals.
Although we typically talk about an illness or injury, this column is meant to pursue a holistic view of health as well as preventative measures. If you don’t already have a pet, think of the advantages that it could provide to you and your family.
Your local animal shelter has lots of critters with many different personalities that they would love to place in a good home.
Stay safe out there.
