Depression is an unpleasant mental health condition that many people experiences; fortunately, the best pets for depression can help us resolve those lonely, painful feelings. Dogs often prove to be great pets and they come with mental health benefits including stress and anxiety reduction, a boost in self-esteem, and improved…
The human-animal bond is so deep-rooted and self-evident that most scientists neglected to study it for decades. We now know that the loving relationships between domesticated animals and humans are bidirectional, bestowing health benefits on both man and beast. Though only some pets are officially called emotional support animals (ESAs),…
The perfect relationship doesn’t exist, but we can get pretty close to it: the relationship we develop with our dog is mutually beneficial and rarely contains conflict. Dogs offer their owners unconditional love and positive regard; in other words, they love them and think highly of them no matter what. …
Cats and dogs have the power to alleviate our stress. All we have to do is play with them. Researchers from Washington State University divided 249 college students into four groups. The first was permitted to pet and play with cats and dogs for 10 minutes. The second observed other…
Pets can bring an overwhelming amount of fun, joy, and love to our lives—additionally, they can help to soothe any feelings of loneliness. Dogs, cats, and other pets love their owners unconditionally and in showing this love are able to help us feel happy again. The positive impact doesn’t stop…
Adopting a dog can have positive effects on your health: it can reduce the risk of developing certain ailments and help with your self-image. First, dogs (and other pets) can have a positive influence on heart health; researchers say this is mostly due to the physical activity necessary to taking…
We have a huge influence on our dog’s personalities. This, from a Michigan State University study that surveyed over 1,600 dog owners. Researchers asked owners to evaluate their dog’s personalities and answer questions related to the dog’s behavioral history. They also answered questions about their own personalities. The team found…
Before I took my leap of faith and adopted my dog, Mila, I surveyed everyone in my life to see what they thought. Did they think I could handle it? Did they think it was a good idea? Did they think I was ready for the responsibility? The overwhelming answer…
In addition to providing love, support, and companionship, dogs are beneficial to our health and overall wellbeing. When we pet a dog, we form a bond and release the hormone oxytocin, which helps to relieve us of stress and anxiety. Dogs also promote an active lifestyle, which helps us to…
Dogs are scientifically-proven to benefit us in a number of ways and improve our overall health (both physical and mental). For one, pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure because they’re more inclined to get out of the house and stay active. Owning a pet can also…