Anyone who has ever felt the comforting presence (not to mention a wet nose or furry paw) of a pet on a tough day knows that having animals around is good for mental health. Studies have shown that pets can give important social and emotional support to people facing health challenges, from veterans with PTSD to children and adolescents overcoming traumatic experiences but pets ownership can play this same role for “everyday people” as well.
Psychologists at Miami University and Saint Louis University conducted researchthrough three experiments to explore the potential benefits of pet ownership among average people:
“We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of well-being outcomes and individual differences, than non-owners on several dimensions,” said lead researcher Allen R. McConnell, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio. “Specifically, pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners.”
In one of the studies, 97 undergraduate students were asked to write about a time when they felt excluded. Then they were asked to write about their favorite pet, or to write about their favorite friend or to draw a map of their campus. Researchers found that writing about pets was just as beneficial to the students as writing about a friend; it demonstrated that pets can help people protect themselves from feelings of rejection.
1. Try the same exercise in your personal journal. Think of a time you felt excluded or lonely or isolated. Write about that experience. When did this happen? How did it make you feel? What emotions does it bring up when you look back on the experience?
2. Now write about your favorite pet (past or present). What do you love most about this pet? What are her unique personality traits or quirks? What are his favorite activities? How is she a source of comfort, entertainment or support in your life?
Share your favorite memory of your pet in the comments section!
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