399 You need to get a dog!
UnpublishedFeature: The Healing Power Of Pets
Diane Pomerance Ph.D.
Do you often feel sad? Lonely? Alone? Depressed? As though you didn't
have a friend in the world? That the burdens of life rest upon your
shoulders? Are these feelings often accompanied by lethargy, lack of
energy or vitality, overall weakness or fatigue, physical unrest or
discomfort? Did you know that a pet might be able to help you to cope
with or even overcome these challenges and actually help "heal" you
mentally, physically and emotionally?
It's true! There is extensive scientific data and evidence indicating
that pets are natural born healers who not only improve the quality
of our lives but also increase our longevity. Animal companions
provide physical and emotional well being. In fact, the simple act
of petting an animal friend has proven to be of significant physical
and psychological benefit. His presence has a calming effect.
Heartbeat is improved. Blood pressure is reduced. Our resistance to
disease is heightened, and tension is decreased. Even cholesterol
levels are improved, and animal owners ("pet parents") pay fewer
visits to doctors and hospitals. Our animal companions reduce stress,
fear and anger. They also decrease loneliness, anxiety and depression.
According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS),
scientists have studied the pets-and-health bond for quite some time.
Rebecca Johnson, a Professor of Gerontological Nursing at the
University of Missouri has presented findings that suggest that
interaction with pets may minimize or even reverse some of the
damaging cell changes that occur naturally with aging. According to
Professor Johnson, levels of endorphins, serotonin and prolactin -
elements that can enhance feelings of well-being - increased in study
participants during interaction, while cortisol levels (stress hormones)
decreased.
Not only does interaction with pets decrease stress and related
cardiovascular illnesses, but caring for a pet has practical daily
benefits. For example, having a dog increases the likelihood of
regular outdoor exercise. Daily walking provides well-known benefits
for cardiovascular health and fitness. Walking a dog may also offer
socialization with other dog or pet owners. Also, the opportunity to
nurture and serve as a caregiver to another living creature offer the
pet parenthood a sense of fulfillment and may even provide a reason
for getting up in the morning. Indoor pets also provide significant
benefits. A study published in the Journal of the American geriatrics
Society reported that senior citizens who own pets are less likely
to be depressed, are better able to tolerate social isolation and are
more active than those who do not own pets, regardless of the type
of pet owned.
Our animal companions also serve as a link to Nature and through
Nature our spirits are elevated. We receive comfort, solace and
renewal through the natural world of which our animal companions, are,
of course ambassadors. They remind us of the beauty, power, complexity
and wonder of the natural world. Sadly, too many of us have lost
awareness of this relationship- our connectedness to all living
beings. We are, instead, bombarded and overwhelmed by technology.
Our lives are too often detached from one another, and our relationships
are too often impersonal. We can get close with our pets who accept
us just as we are and without judgment. We can let down our guard,
share our secrets and allow ourselves to trust our pets. We can be
genuinely who we are without facade or pretension. Our animal
companions offer us unconditional love, loyalty and affection and
keep us "grounded" helping us to reassess our priorities and to put
matters in perspective.
Pets, through their playfulness, joie de vivre and spontaneity, have
a soothing and therapeutic effect on their owners. Their presence and
very essence reveal the life force, the creative force, the energy
and vitality that exist in all of us. Even if we are unable to find
inspiring relationships among other people, we find genuine love,
friendship companionship, loyalty and camaraderie through the animals
we adopt.
Through our animal companions we learn many invaluable lessons about
life and death and the aging process. They serve as teachers, guides,
helpers and healers. They accompany us on our life journey and through
life's triumphs and defeats as well as our joys and sorrows. Perhaps
it is time for you to consider adopting one of life's greatest sources
of love and happiness.
DIANE POMERANCE received her Ph.D. in Communications in 1979 from
the University of Michigan, and has written the highly acclaimed
children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies" which
teaches children how to cope with and recover from the loss of a
beloved companion animal as well as those inevitable losses in life.
She is also the author of "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers
& Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World.",
Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions", "Finding
Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her most
recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for
You." Dr. Pomerance counsels those mourning the loss of a beloved
companion animal. As a writer, teacher, counselor and animal lover,
she recognizes that the loss of a pet can be devastating to adults
as well as children. For over 25 years, she has also worked in a wide
variety of capacities in the entertainment industry both in New York
and Los Angeles, including production work with such programs as NBC's
Sports shows "NFL Live" and "Grandstand", PBS' "MacNeill/Lehrer
Report", and "Bill Moyer's Journal."
Diane Pomerance Ph.D.
Do you often feel sad? Lonely? Alone? Depressed? As though you didn't
have a friend in the world? That the burdens of life rest upon your
shoulders? Are these feelings often accompanied by lethargy, lack of
energy or vitality, overall weakness or fatigue, physical unrest or
discomfort? Did you know that a pet might be able to help you to cope
with or even overcome these challenges and actually help "heal" you
mentally, physically and emotionally?
It's true! There is extensive scientific data and evidence indicating
that pets are natural born healers who not only improve the quality
of our lives but also increase our longevity. Animal companions
provide physical and emotional well being. In fact, the simple act
of petting an animal friend has proven to be of significant physical
and psychological benefit. His presence has a calming effect.
Heartbeat is improved. Blood pressure is reduced. Our resistance to
disease is heightened, and tension is decreased. Even cholesterol
levels are improved, and animal owners ("pet parents") pay fewer
visits to doctors and hospitals. Our animal companions reduce stress,
fear and anger. They also decrease loneliness, anxiety and depression.
According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS),
scientists have studied the pets-and-health bond for quite some time.
Rebecca Johnson, a Professor of Gerontological Nursing at the
University of Missouri has presented findings that suggest that
interaction with pets may minimize or even reverse some of the
damaging cell changes that occur naturally with aging. According to
Professor Johnson, levels of endorphins, serotonin and prolactin -
elements that can enhance feelings of well-being - increased in study
participants during interaction, while cortisol levels (stress hormones)
decreased.
Not only does interaction with pets decrease stress and related
cardiovascular illnesses, but caring for a pet has practical daily
benefits. For example, having a dog increases the likelihood of
regular outdoor exercise. Daily walking provides well-known benefits
for cardiovascular health and fitness. Walking a dog may also offer
socialization with other dog or pet owners. Also, the opportunity to
nurture and serve as a caregiver to another living creature offer the
pet parenthood a sense of fulfillment and may even provide a reason
for getting up in the morning. Indoor pets also provide significant
benefits. A study published in the Journal of the American geriatrics
Society reported that senior citizens who own pets are less likely
to be depressed, are better able to tolerate social isolation and are
more active than those who do not own pets, regardless of the type
of pet owned.
Our animal companions also serve as a link to Nature and through
Nature our spirits are elevated. We receive comfort, solace and
renewal through the natural world of which our animal companions, are,
of course ambassadors. They remind us of the beauty, power, complexity
and wonder of the natural world. Sadly, too many of us have lost
awareness of this relationship- our connectedness to all living
beings. We are, instead, bombarded and overwhelmed by technology.
Our lives are too often detached from one another, and our relationships
are too often impersonal. We can get close with our pets who accept
us just as we are and without judgment. We can let down our guard,
share our secrets and allow ourselves to trust our pets. We can be
genuinely who we are without facade or pretension. Our animal
companions offer us unconditional love, loyalty and affection and
keep us "grounded" helping us to reassess our priorities and to put
matters in perspective.
Pets, through their playfulness, joie de vivre and spontaneity, have
a soothing and therapeutic effect on their owners. Their presence and
very essence reveal the life force, the creative force, the energy
and vitality that exist in all of us. Even if we are unable to find
inspiring relationships among other people, we find genuine love,
friendship companionship, loyalty and camaraderie through the animals
we adopt.
Through our animal companions we learn many invaluable lessons about
life and death and the aging process. They serve as teachers, guides,
helpers and healers. They accompany us on our life journey and through
life's triumphs and defeats as well as our joys and sorrows. Perhaps
it is time for you to consider adopting one of life's greatest sources
of love and happiness.
DIANE POMERANCE received her Ph.D. in Communications in 1979 from
the University of Michigan, and has written the highly acclaimed
children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies" which
teaches children how to cope with and recover from the loss of a
beloved companion animal as well as those inevitable losses in life.
She is also the author of "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers
& Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World.",
Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions", "Finding
Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her most
recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for
You." Dr. Pomerance counsels those mourning the loss of a beloved
companion animal. As a writer, teacher, counselor and animal lover,
she recognizes that the loss of a pet can be devastating to adults
as well as children. For over 25 years, she has also worked in a wide
variety of capacities in the entertainment industry both in New York
and Los Angeles, including production work with such programs as NBC's
Sports shows "NFL Live" and "Grandstand", PBS' "MacNeill/Lehrer
Report", and "Bill Moyer's Journal."
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- Written by Donna
