Many Americans share our lives with household pets. We spend billions of dollars each year in the care of our beloved furry animals—our dogs and cats. They clearly have us wrapped around their sweet little “paws.” We absolutely adore them and consider them to be our best friends and even like family members who give up unconditional love in return. However, besides their great companionship, research also indicates all of the wonderful health benefits that they can provide for us. They can help us to heal emotionally, physically, and mentally, but scientists are also discovering that dogs and cats help fight disease and aid us in dealing with chronic health conditions. 
First, pets tend to decrease the risk of allergies and asthma. Recent studies are now showing that young children who are exposed to our furry family members and grow up in homes with dogs and cats and even farm animals tend to have fewer allergies and a lesser risk of becoming asthmatic. Other studies have shown that infants in homes with pets are even less likely to have eczema, a skin ailment, and have higher levels of some immune system chemicals that help them to be able to fight bad bacteria better. 
Secondly, pets reduce stress. We animal lovers love to spend much quality time with our pets. We play ball with them; we take them for walks with us and even on vacations when possible; we talk to them and sometimes confide in them our deepest thoughts and secrets. They enjoy our company as well, are great listeners, and rarely complain unless they are hungry. Research has proven that owning a cat can actually lower our risk of suffering from a fatal heart attack while dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Also taking care of a dog via regular walks can often lead to increases in our physical activity and can provide us with the opportunity to meet other dog owners during these walks in our parks or neighborhoods. These social contacts may enhance both physiological and psychological health which also helps to prevent more minor ailments and serious medical problems.
Third, believe it or not, dogs can become an important part in a weight loss program. Walking our dogs every day is not only good and necessary to maintain the health of our dogs, but it also gives us our own personal cardio fitness program. Since we burn calories during walking, over time pounds will eventually be eliminated, and muscle mass hopefully will replace our unwanted fat.
Next pets can help to add structure and routine to our daily lives. Our pets, especially our dogs, require regular feeding and exercise schedules. No matter what kind of mood we are in each day—good or bad—we must always find the time to care for our pets. Also special time should be set aside each day for bonding which gives us the chance to distress from our busy and often hectic days. 
Pets can fulfill special needs as we grow older, too. We retire, and our children grow up and move away to start their own lives. We have too much free time now and may feel we have lost our purpose in our lives. Caring for a pet can bring back that pleasure we have lost and help to boost our morale and give us renewed optimism. Pets can provide us a sense of self-worth. They also give us a way to maintain the social network we may have lost since retirement and help us to overcome many physical challenges associated with getting older. Pets encourage us to have fun, to laugh (which I always consider to be essential for good health), and to exercise. All of these improve our immune system and increase our energy levels. Pets have been very therapeutic for Alzheimer’s patients or those suffering from dementia. These patients tend to suffer less stress and fewer anxious outbursts with a pet in their homes. Playful interaction between these people and their pets through touch provides a source of positive, nonverbal communication and decreases aggressive behavior. This also makes it easier for the people who must take care of these patients. 
Pets have numerous benefits for healthy and unhealthy children. Besides the lessening of risks for allergies and asthma discussed earlier, our children learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy. The presence of pets in our homes provides a sense of security for our children. Studies have also shown that pets help calm hyperactive or overly aggressive children. Playing with pets is a great source for stimulation for the brain and body and can add fuel to our children’s imagination and curiosity. Teaching tricks to a do g can teach the children the importance of perseverance. Ultimately, the pet becomes a great playmate for our children as well. For children with learning disabilities, pets can help them to regulate their stress and calm themselves and enable them to overcome some of their challenges. It may help them to be more alert and attentive for better learning, and thus, elevate the self-esteem of these disabled children. 
Pets can also be wonderful to protect us and to assist physically handicapped people. Dogs can be trained to be great watch dogs for protection and also incredible companions for disabled people. They become security systems for our homes and our businesses. They become the eyes for the blind and the legs for the crippled and the ears for the deaf. They do this without fear and with much love and devotion.
In spite of all of the gadgets we own, we humans are still animals. Our desire to be around other animals is a part of being human. Throughout history, animals have played an important role in human customs, legends, and religions. Animal relationships to primitive people were essential for survival. Dogs were often used by hunter-gatherer societies. Horses have been used for people with serious disabilities and dogs for treatment for mental patients. From 1944 to 1945 at an Army Air Corps Convalescent Hospital at Pawling, New York, patients recovering from war experiences w ere encouraged to work at the hospital’s farm with hogs, cattle, horses, and poultry. In own time we use animals to satisfy our need for intimacy, nurturing, and contact with nature. Love for animals has existed for centuries. We visit zoos to learn about all kinds of animals, have wildlife reserves around the world to protect them, and bring them into our homes to live with us. They are a huge part of our lives and are considered to be family members by most of us. 
I know my life has been highly enriched by the many past and current furry members of my family. My sweet late dogs Midnight, Blackie, Little Girl, Sebastian, Oliver, and my current beloved Saint Bernard Anna Belle have brought much joy to my life as well as my adorable late cats Twinkle, Tabitha, and Burman. Therefore, I will dedicate this blog in the memory of these wonderful animals who have played such important roles in my life. Their unconditional love will remain in my heart and memories for the rest of my life.
Randi D. Ward
August 30, 2013
