The Therapeutic Benefits of Our Pets
My dog is the love of my life. She is smart, affectionate, cuddly and her adoration is completely unconditional (unless you count two full human meals a day a condition). Edie came into my life just after I was diagnosed with cancer back in 2008. My diagnosis called for me to give up work and move back in with my parents. After moving away from my friends and breaking up with my long-term boyfriend, Edie became my constant companion. I shared all my fears and worries with her, cried to her and she was always there when I needed a cuddle (unless a pig’s ear was in the picture). She would even snuggle up next to me in bed until her snoring became too much to handle. The idea of not having Edie around is simply unthinkable.
The effect pets have on our health is a controversial subject. On one side of the argument we have evidence that owning a pet can lower blood pressure, encourage exercise and improve psychological health. Pets can be very healing, providing benefits like stress reduction, affection, comfort, security, unconditional love, playfulness and loyal companionship. Dr. Froma Walsh, a clinical psychologist and leading authority on family resilience, said that a bond with a pet can strengthen human resilience through times of crisis, persistent adversity and disruptive transitions, such as relocation, divorce, widowhood and adoption. “The powerful meaning and significance of companion animals is underestimated,” she has said.
Then there’s the other side of the argument. For animal lovers, this side is much harder to hear, but it’s also something to consider. Several leading health experts like Dr. Hulda Clark and Charlotte Gerson are concerned that being in close contact with an animal could have detrimental affects on our health. The reasoning is that pets carry parasites. These parasites can be passed to us and make us ill. These experts advise anyone who is ill to either keep their pets outside, or let them board with a friend until they’re better.
After learning this, neither of the suggested solutions were good enough for me. Edie is a pug, therefore she needs to be inside. There is also no way I could give her away until I’m finished curing myself. Besides the fact that no one else would put up with her constant hair shedding and unbelievable appetite, I would be totally lost without her squished up, grunting face around. So what is a pet-owner to do in this kind of pickle? Do the pros outweigh the cons? The jury is still out on that one. While anecdotal evidence points to the positive, statistical confirmation is lacking.
While only a small amount of studies have been conducted to back up the notion that pets are great for our health, this isn’t stopping several health organizations from employing animal companions to enhance the overall improvement of their patients. For example, the Autism Service Dogs of America organization is bringing together pet pooches with children diagnosed with autism. “Many children with autism can’t relate to a human,” says its director, Pris Taylor, “but they can relate to a dog.”
The Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Southern California is also getting in on the act. An article on the New York Times website explains how dozens of volunteers regularly take their dogs to visit patients. Children being treated for serious illnesses often have the blues, anxiety or depression. “The dogs brighten them up,” said Emily Grankowski, who oversees the pet therapy program at the hospital. “Some patients who have refused to speak will talk to the dogs,” she said, “and others who have refused to move often reach for the dogs so they can pet them. So the animals become part of the therapeutic program, especially in the areas involving speech and movement.”
Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform,” chronicles human-animal interactions, explains why it is so difficult to generate statistical data on the health benefits of pets.
“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” she said. “We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”
If you’re still not sure, why not give your beloved pet a parasite cleanse? Dr. Hulda Clark devised a pet parasite program to help rid your furry friend of all the nasty parasites that could be compromising the health of both of you.
Jess Ainscough is an Australian-based freelance writer and the creator of the natural healing blog, the Wellness Warrior. Before being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, Jess was a social reporter and online editor for a teen magazine. After leaving her job to focus on her health, she now spends her time drinking carrot juice, meditating, practicing yoga and learning everything she can about healing.
15 Comments
Fantastic post! You’re so right — it’s really hard for animal lovers to accept the results of studies that indicate owning a pet can be detrimental to our health. Even when I’m sick with something as insignificant as the flu, my dog makes me feel better than anyone else could! If I was battling an illness at home and sent him to stay with a friend, all I’d do is worry about him, which also can’t be beneficial to recovery. I’d definitely keep my pets right where they belong :)
thank you for writing this article. i have suffered from depression most of my life, and i am about to have a cat in my life again. i will definitely try the parasite cleanse. i had no idea that animals can make us sick.
What an adorable pug. I’m sorry about your cancer diagnosis…how are you now two years later?
I’ve never been seriously ill or had any kind of disease so can’t speak to the studies that say animals can be detrimental to our health. Parasites? Internal/ external? I share my home with one dog and three cats. I’m sure they must carry fleas from time to time but mine are always tested for internal parasites….and are always negative. External parasites are eliminated immediately.
I just cannot fathom the notion of removing a pet from your home or worse because you have an illness. That to me is utterly ridiculous. Sorry…I’d rather remove a human. Come on. I’d love to see that study. Sounds ridiculous to me.
I adopted two little doggies (a maltese shitzu and a beagle+cavalier) in December and they have helped me cope tremendously since then. I have suffered from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome since 2006 and the time I spent without canine company was much more miserable than the time since they came along. It would never even occur to me that they could be bad for my health, especially for the reasoning of possible parasites. I worm them regularly and they have their vaccinations, when the vet tells me they are healthy, that’s good enough for me! For me, the biggest struggle with owning pets and living with a disability is when I am unable to walk or feed them myself. Thankfully, I have help around, but when left by myself for a while this can get a bit stressful. It’s stress I’m happy to deal with though, every time I get a waggy tail and a puppy cuddle it makes any hard work worth it! ;D
My little girl Holly is always at my side when Im at home. She understands when Im in a Pain Flair, When I need to rest and gladly takes naps with me, she even gets me moving by having me take her on walks so she can bark at dogs that are 2x her size in our neighbrohood. She is an amazing dog and I dont know how life would be without her.
Helen Brown, a New Zealand author, who I think now lives in Australia, wrote a lovely book called CLEO: The Cat Who Mended a Family. I highly recomend. It’s on Amazon.com.
Pets have parasites? PEOPLE have parasites! As you said, there are parasite cleases out there, that really, are great for both you and your pet. I also highly recommend the Terminator Zapper. I couldn’t imagine being apart from my Triton, and the small parasite possibility certain does not even touch the love, companionship and exercise qualities of our relationship.
The dog I grew up with was my sibling and my best friend. She passed away when I was in my early 20′s and I have not had the opportunity to adopt another dog as I’ve been living in pet-free apartments for the past handful of years. I seriously feel like there is a huge void in my life without that pure devotion and companionship.
Animals calm me in a way that nothing else can. I’m sure all of you will agree on that! I personally think that the spiritual benefits you get from a companion animal, far outweigh the small possibility of acquiring parasites. I mean, how often does that really happen?
But anyway, I hope you are well and kicking some cancer booty. <3 <3
When my mother was diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago, the doctors told her to immedietaly get rid of her three cats. They said they would be detrimental to her health. My mother responded that giving away her cats would be detrimental to her health and she absolutely refused. She is still battling cancer even though they told her only 5% survive her specific cancer. She decided she would be one of the 5% and truly believes that the joy her kitties bring to her are a big part in what is saving her life.
OH what a wonderful article :) My boyfriend suffered from an addiction and during his fight I gave him a doggie (A PUG) named Porky and it has been the best thing that has ever happened in his life. He is sober, more confident than ever, and is such a great daddy to Porky. Having a dog is so therapeutic, as a mental health therapist myself, I can’t emphasize enough how these bundles of cuteness can be the “new” anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications, and well rehab in our case.
I get the whole parasite thing…but WE animal lovers take good care of our pets and I’m sure regular vet checks keep our doggies healthy and hopefully parasite free. Big LOVE to our PUGS and all pets out there : )
I agree with this post. I had a pet, it was a little kitten and I named him Vanilla. Yes, it is a he. I was the one who let him eats. Sometimes when I was out of the house, when I returned home he really greeted me with a meow. He really wanted to be on my side and slept with me on my lap. My friends really adored him with white skin and blue eyes. One day, mom accidentally stepped on him and he died because of it. He was still young then and very vulnerable. I really cried a lot. I just missed my Vanilla. Womens Health Questions
I was just talking about this with someone yesterday. When my mother was hospitalized after surgery to remove her stomach we were all so depressed. The hospital was such a downer and I felt as if it actually was detrimental to her recovery in many ways. One day a volunteer brought a Golden Retriever into my mother’s room for a therapeutic visit. We all cried. It was so nice to see life in the room again and the joy and peace that the dog brought to my mother was visceral. I fully believe that pets help in healing and I wish that more people would volunteer their time to this worthy cause.
Pets are so wonderful. I am still mourning the loss of my favorite pets. He jumped out of the car window as my girlfriend came to a stop light.
I think I’ll err on the side of pets are beneficial. Therapy animals are far more beneficial than harmful and if they are kept clean and healthy, should have no more parasites than humans.
Our 11 year old retriever/mtn dog mix was by my side or laying full length on top of me with her head on my chest for most of the duration of my treatment phase. She took a lot on and was their to offer adoring loyalty and unconditional love whether I was crying, laughing, sleeping or just feeling like crap. My journey would have been a lot different without her.
August 23, 2010