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Can pets improve your mental health?
Posted Friday 28 August 2009
Conversations about cats seem to be all the rage at Mind at the moment. No, we're not expanding our remit; staff and volunteers who are proud pet owners are discussing the latest in pet psychology books.
From my point of view, it is animals or pets as therapy for either physical or mental health issues that is the topic, whether it be the option to get a dog in Lewisham using your individual budget care allowance or swimming with dolphins to cure depression.
Read a little closer, and of course the questions start coming. A review of studies into dolphin-assisted therapy found that the studies were methodologically flawed and also failed to investigate any long term benefits. Another review of the link between pet ownership and health found that research this decade found no reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, no decrease in the use of primary care and no psychological or physical benefits to older people living in the community associated with pet ownership.
Kruger and Serpell writing in Handbook on animal-assisted therapy "Despite their long history and the unequivocally positive media attention they typically receive, animal-assisted interventions are currently best described as a category of promising complementary practices that are still struggling to demonstrate their effectiveness and validity" (p.21).
Even recent research looking at therapy using farm animals failed to adequately control for effects of working outdoors or increased socialisation opportunities as being part of the research and not the control group. Then there is the need to consider the impact on the animals being used for therapy.
If this sort of therapy option gets positive media attention then researchers should harness that interest to plan and fund robust research to investigate the effectiveness of what could be a relatively safe, inexpensive and non-invasive treatment option.
Bridget O'Connell, Head of Information
11 Comments
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Pets definately improve mental health.
My dog has made a massive difference to my mental health, to the extent that she sometimes stops me from self harming. She recognises the box I get out and comes over to put her paw on my knee. In fact there was a time when I was part way through overdosing and she came to put her paw on my knee, looking into her eyes made me realise I needed to stop.
I would love to be able to get my dog properly registered so that I can use her as an assitance dog. Walking in to places with her gives me so much more confidence.
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It is easier to meet the needs of an animal than a human! that can give you confidence and a feelign of competence + pets, though never a complete replacement for human contact, are not judgemental like humans (well, not entirely true - there's the occaiosnal cross yowl when the grub is late coming!) The feedback you get just from feeding and grooming pets is priceless. I have a cat so I don't get the exercise benefit from having to walk a dog but what I do get is the serenity factor : when I feel the anxiety rising, stroking my cat and watching her being calm but alert, seems quite literally to rub off on me (along with her white hairs on my black trousers!) . I have a picture of her as my wallpaper on my work computer that makes me smile and relax everytime i look at it. The cost of owning a pet should definately be an option covered by individual budgets.
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I firmly believe that pets can be very great frinds to humans and prefer to refer to them as animal companions. My little cat kindly picked myself and my lovely husband and she is the sweetest, loyal little companion you could hope for. She has her own cat views on meal times, love times,hunting times and we as the human stewards of the world take responsibility for her well being. She definitely adds comfort, pleasure, relaxation and so on - running to greet us when we come home!
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my wife and i have 2 cavaliar spaniels, and they give us both soo much joy and pleasure.i do wish more people cleaned up after there pets it is very much something that gets on my nerves because there is no excuse for the dog mess that you see all around everywere such a shame. also all the broken glass , why do people have too act in such a n uncaring manner???...
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I have a cat and a dog and without them I truely believe I would no longer be alive. Thier love is unconditional (well almost), they are genuinely pleased to see me and give me a great deal of comfort.
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Animals have an excess of sensitivity to those around them not just smell. I had a cat who was like a soulmate almost until she died, was very ill when i rescued her and if not for her would probably be dead by now. Have more pets now (she would never have allowed me to do that were she here!) In times of crisis i look at them, i took them on and im responsible for them they are innocent, and who am i to ruin their young beautiful lives, they stop me from going into hospital maybe thats a good thing. I have them as a screensaver too it cheers you up.
We might be ill but we dont have to be irresponsible. -
i was told 5 years ago i am bio polar at the ribe age of 45, that explains some of my issues, difference's and problems throughout my life, since then i have had c.b.t which as helped me understand and make changes for the better in my life, i've always been physically active- a live wire and of course that comes with the depression--dont want the world ---- i do work and have done all my life, to many hours and to much going out partying to have a pet, a few years ago i found my physical side of me unable to keep up- due to back and leg problems-- no more dancing,,,,,i meet someone started a relationship, moved in together, we had a dog-- a beautiful white staff, terrier, NOW me and my partner both have forms of mental health which means we can be very good together or quite bad,,,,,after living together a couple of years i moved out---taking it in turn to look after the dog,,, now i found myself unable to live life without the dog--------i love the dog more than anythink in this world. so much so that i still question myself as to-----when i moved back in with my boyfriend ' was it for him or for the dog'!! all i now is i dont feel i could ever leave the dog's love--his effection doesnt judge me---the fact i now i have to be there for him, stops me wanting to self harm and kill myself----doesnt take away the thoughts but--stops the actions,,,,i do hope me and the boyfriend remain together and keep trying,,,,,,,,cause i wouldnt want to ever be without a dog again---his my little life saver.......
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I have listened to and been involved in the discusssions about the purported benefits of pets to humans for many years and have concluded that the discussions tend to fall into two distinct camps.
There are those who, on an emotional level, 'feel' that pets are good for them and they instinctively know what works for them.
Then there are the academics who utilise statistics to provide 'scientific-proof'.The discussions between these two groups are often fruitless and pointless as each is looking at the subject from different and often incompatible perspectives.
My own early research indicated that the 'good' relationship between humans and animals is based on similar elements to that which would be expected (but often not obtained) in human-human relationships.
(I will reproduce the list briefly below)The academic approach tends to be trying to test what ordinary folk might call 'love', 'friiendship' or 'companionship'.
These facets are based on emotional concepts and are notoriously difficult to 'prove' in academic terms.
Most people are content to accept that their 'instincts' tell them when something 'feels' right for them.
This is a 'common-sense' approach, which the vast majority of people understand and accept in their pragmatic day to day lives.
It is little wonder that most of the research work done by academics will remain forever within the confines of their own institutions.
It simply doesn't make sense to the rest of us.
Elements constituting a 'good' relationship. (as stated by pet owners)
From Hutton J.S.1983 A STUDY OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN FOSTER FAMILIES:PERCEPTIONS OF THERAPEUTIC VALUES.
Proc. Int. Symp. on The Human/Pet Relationship, Vienna, October.
pp. 64-70 in The Human/Pet Relationship, IEMT, Vienna.
1. To BE - THERE
2. To be CONSISTENT
3. To be HONEST, GENUINE & SINCERE
4. To be NON-JUDGEMENTAL
5. To LISTEN: Empathetically
6. To keep things CONFIDENTIAL
7. To ENABLE & EMPOWER (DIY process)
8. To show POSITIVE REGARD (unconditional)
9. To show RESPECT for INDIVIDUALITY
FEELINGS
NEEDS
10. To FOCUS CARING (according to above principles) -
I am trying to find out what Health Authority in Britain pays people to have a pet because of the health benefits and savings in healthcare costs. Does anyone know of this?
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I have been asking the Council to allow me to have a dog in a block of flat for a long time now and the answer is always no. This would help my mental health and improve my life.
Anybody got any good advice.
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Hi Ann, Thanks for your comment. Please get in touch with the Mind infoline on info@mind.org.uk or 0300 123 3393. They may be able to help you find a mental health advocate in your area who can help you find a solution with your council. Take care.
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