The Healing Power of Pets

Pets can brighten your life, but also come with a big responsibility.

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Dawn McGrath has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of pets. Meeting people with dogs can spark conversations, reducing stress and loneliness.

“I make team visits with our dogs Bailey, a Shetland sheepdog, and Ginger, a cocker spaniel, to local nursing homes, rehab centers, hospitals, schools, and libraries,” McGrath, a registered animal therapy volunteer, told The Epoch Times in an email.

McGrath's team in a nursing home. Courtesy of Dawn McGrath

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“This manifests in genuine smiles, open arms, and hugs, the impact of which extends to improved attitude, motivation, and overall happiness.”

Approximately half of households in the United States have a pet. This popularity suggests that pet owners derive much pleasure from their cat or dog. Yet are pets actually therapeutic?

A 2018 Washington State University (WSU) study published in MDPI, found that access to a dog therapy program improved the mental health of first-year college students. While some studies indicate that pets promote physical and psychological wellness, other research on the topic is inconclusive. Despite the scarcity of firm scientific evidence on the therapeutic value of pets, anecdotal evidence is abundant.

For those who can safely interact with and responsibly care for pets, there are many benefits to having a purring cat or an affectionate dog.

Benefits for College Students

Mental health disorders in college students are on the rise around the world, according to a World Health Organization survey involving participants from 19 colleges across eight countries, including the United States. Researchers found that 35 percent of the students screened positive for at least one common lifetime disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, depression, or alcohol use disorder. Compounding the problem was separation from a childhood pet at home, which may create the loss of a coping mechanism.

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The MDPI study involved 145 people who had left a pet at home to attend college. The authors randomly assigned participants to either seven sessions of a drop-in dog therapy program or a waitlist control group. The sessions involved petting, sitting with, and talking to dogs in an informal setting.

Monitoring the participants’ well-being throughout the semester indicated that those in the dog group experienced significantly lower rates of worry, depression, and stress compared with those in the control group. Although the dogs played a key role, the authors felt that being in the quiet environment and engaging with other students and handlers also had an influence.

“This is a relatively easy, low-cost way to support student well-being,” said coauthor Patricia Pendry, WSU professor of human development, in a press statement.

Physical Health Benefits

Dogs are often eager exercise companions, as they give their owners a reason to exercise through walking. The health benefits of physical activity are well established and include increased cardiovascular health and many other aspects of wellness.

A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports surveyed 191 dog owning adults, 455 nondog owning adults, and 46 children in the UK during July and August 2015. It found that dog ownership was linked to more recreational walking and a considerably greater likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines. Additionally, children with dogs walked more per day than those without dogs.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which can be broken down into 30-minute sessions, over five days.

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, dog ownership was associated with better cardiovascular health. The review examined studies published between 1950 and 2019, involving data from approximately 4 million individuals. Some studies suggested that dog ownership was linked to decreased blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, and a lower stress response of the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for fight-or-flight.

Analysis of all the data showed that dog ownership was associated with a 31 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular death. A possible reason for this increased longevity may stem from the additional exercise involved, according to the authors.

Mental and Psychological Health Benefits

The mental and psychological health benefits of pet ownership are multifaceted, including reduced stress and enhanced mood.

“Pet ownership promotes a reduction in cortisol, the primary stress hormone,” Shebna N. Osanmoh, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner at Savant Care Inc., told The Epoch Times in an email.

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To support this assertion, he cites a 2019 clinical trial published in Sage Journals involving 249 college students.

The authors divided the participants into four groups: hands-on contact with pets, watching others interact with pets, watching a slideshow of pets, and a control group. In the hands-on group, 10 minutes of petting a cat or a dog reduced cortisol levels and provided momentary stress relief, he said. 

Animals have an almost magical capacity to enhance one’s mood and mental well-being, according to Dr. Michael S. Valdez, a medical director at Detox California.

“The pure connection pets provide, along with their joyous mischief and affection, promotes in pet owners a release of serotonin and dopamine, both of which are neurotransmitters synonymous with relaxation,” Valdez told The Epoch Times in an email.

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Beyond relaxation, interactions with pets can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression while helping to regulate blood pressure. Spending time with animals has been shown to reduce stress and contribute to a greater sense of well-being, he noted.

Pets can also foster emotional benefits in mental health therapy.

“I can tell you some amazing stories about how animals have changed people’s lives,” Annalisa Smithson, founder and director of Unleashed Counseling, told The Epoch Times in an email. “My team of humans and animals work with people who struggle with traditional talk therapy. Our clients have experienced reduced anxiety, overcome depression, and processed trauma while petting, walking, and snuggling with our dogs and rabbits.” According to Smithson, clients often feel more at ease and willing to share their thoughts and emotions sooner than they would in traditional talk therapy.

Social Health Benefits

Pets can’t replace human companionship, but they can help facilitate it.

“Having a dog naturally creates more opportunities for social interaction,” Melissa Legere, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical director for California Behavioral Health, told The Epoch Times in an email.

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“For example, walking a dog often leads to casual conversations with neighbors and other dog owners at the park. It’s an easy way to meet people without forcing social situations. Plus, people tend to be more approachable when there’s a dog around—it’s an instant icebreaker.”

Although dog walking provides a natural way to meet people, the prospect of forming new friendships can seem intimidating.

Stephanie Boucher, a registered psychotherapist and founder of The Mindful Loft Betrayal Trauma and Relational Recovery Centre Ontario, explains that dogs help with this as well. They give people a sense of emotional security and support, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and interact in social settings, she told The Epoch Times in an email.

“I believe that the attachment to a pet in an older adult who lives alone and has few friends can help instill the confidence necessary to take social risks,” said Boucher. “This may lead to meeting new people and creating friendship bonds.”

Pet Ownership Alternatives

Not everyone has the time, financial resources, or health needed for full-time pet ownership. Aside from pet visitation programs, such as the one in the MDPI study, several alternatives offer part-time contact. For instance, owning a dog wouldn’t be feasible for people who work outside the home, but they can hire pet sitters or dog walkers to provide daytime care. This is a win-win solution, as it allows them to keep their cherished furry friend while providing a nonpet owner with companionship.

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Foster care is another possibility. Twila McGee, CEO and founder of NOLAs Finest Pet Care LLC, told The Epoch Times that fostering is one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of being a pet parent while alleviating financial burdens.

“This option provides pets with a temporary home filled with love, allowing them to receive the care they need while waiting for their forever families—an experience that is difficult to replicate in a shelter,” she said. “When you look after a foster pet, you’re not alone—your local shelter or rescue group will support you with necessary resources like food, training, and veterinary care. I also recommend fostering to anyone considering adopting a cat or dog but uncertain about their readiness.”

Risks of Pet Ownership

Despite the broad therapeutic benefits of pet ownership, some risks are involved. The primary of which is the possible spread of zoonotic diseases—infection-causing viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that pets can transmit to their owners. Potential illnesses range from mild to serious, and in some cases, they can be fatal, notes the CDC.

Such infections can spread from pets to their owners through direct contact with a dog or cat’s body fluids when petting or touching them. They may also spread via indirect contact by handling pet food and water dishes. People who are particularly at risk include:

• Children younger than 5 and adults older than 65
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immunity

If you’re unsure whether you can own a pet for any reason, please consult with your physician.