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Owning a pet can decrease anxiety and lower high blood sugar levels

posted 11 years ago by flower-power-11
2 replies | jump to latest

It's no joke that owning a pet can help you with your mental and physical health, very rarely do I believe studies, but I do believe the ones they write about pets. Spending time with your pet can help describe levels of anxiety, depression, and high blood sugar. Many service animals, like dogs, work to help people with mental syndromes such as Bipolar disorder, Autism, and ADHD so they can lead better lives. I know this because whenever I'm feeling down, or anxious, just seeing my Yorkie wag his tail picks me right up. My best friend owns three Border Collies that are also in service dog training. She has Anxiety disorder. Her dogs sense this and help her in any way that they can. It still amazes me how dogs don't get enough credit, but they help us overcome the obstacles in our lives in ways that sometimes even human love cannot.

[–] Salmonit 11 years ago

I agree. Why? Cats and dogs give unconditional love. My cat senses my moods, she knows me and she knows I do everything I can to make her happy.

[–] Prelude-in-C-maj 11 years ago

I have no problem believing this research either. Animals are even taken to hospitals and hospices to be petted by patients, because it's so established that petting an animal lowers blood pressure, and releases beneficial chemistry around the brain and body that calm and soothe.

I like how, in the US, Emotional Support Animals are recognized as a necessary thing for those with mental conditions, disorders or other situations, and are allowed in situations where an animal normally is not, similar to dogs who assist the blind.

The UK would do well to follow suit and acknowledge ESAs.