| Did you know that there are key health benefits that | | | | Pets can help their owners overcome depression |
| can result from owning a pet? Having one can | | | | through their companionship and unconditional love. |
| enhance your physical, mental and social wellbeing. | | | | They seem to possess the natural ability to help you |
| 1. How can a pet help your physical health? | | | | relax and enjoy life more. |
| Owning a dog, for instance, will encourage you to get | | | | Pets can also help when you experience times of |
| more exercise. With your faithful friend at your side, | | | | loneliness. English poet, Alexander Pope, has stated |
| you're much more likely to go for a walk. Walking is | | | | that histories are more full of examples of the fidelity |
| one of the best health activities you can do. While | | | | of dogs than of friends. According to a Chinese |
| walking you're also more likely to socially interact with | | | | proverb, dogs have so many friends because they |
| your neighbors because your special pal often acts as | | | | wag their tails, not their tongues. |
| an ice-breaker. | | | | When you take care of a pet you have to develop a |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | routine of getting out, buying food and providing |
| Since 1995 SEO/SEM tools, training, and professional | | | | exercise. This can help fight off depression and |
| "full service" Search Engine Marketing help at very | | | | loneliness. The simple responsiblity of pet care can |
| affordable rates. | | | | help you get your mind off yourself and your |
| Research led by Dr. Karen Allen at the State | | | | problems. |
| University of New York at Buffalo shows that pets | | | | 3. How can a pet enhance your wellbeing in the area |
| can help lower blood pressure. Stockbrokers with high | | | | of relationships? |
| blood pressure were studied to see what happened | | | | American Animal Hospital Association President, Link |
| when they adopted a pet dog or cat. Researchers | | | | Wellborn, believes that pets are more than just a |
| concluded that having a pet nearby helps control | | | | member of the family - they're central to a healthy |
| increases in blood pressure due to stress. | | | | lifestyle. |
| In his studies Alan Beck, ScD (Professor of Animal | | | | Pets help lessen tension between family members |
| Ecology, Purdue University) found that the simple act | | | | and add a lot of fun and unconditional love to the |
| of petting your dog slows your heart rate and | | | | homes where they live. When pets do cute and |
| causes your blood pressure to drop. | | | | funny things - which they often do - family members |
| An added health advantage from pet ownership is | | | | react by laughing and being more relaxed. |
| that patients may live longer after heart attacks. | | | | If you don't have a pet yet, consider making one |
| Some doctors recommend that a heart attack | | | | part of your family, but make sure you have the |
| survivor adopt a dog because research has shown | | | | time and resources necessary to provide a stable |
| that a faithful canine companion can help prolong an | | | | loving home for your new friend. |
| owner's life. | | | | If you choose a dog as your new pal, remember this |
| 2. How Can A Pet Improve Your Mental Health? | | | | wise old saying. "A dog is man's best friend." That's |
| Sharing your life with a cat may help your mental | | | | true in more ways than one. You'll get unconditional |
| health. A study conducted at Australia's University of | | | | love, companionship, loyalty and relaxation in return |
| New England found that people who own feline | | | | for your investment of time and material resources. |
| friends may experience fewer psychiatric | | | | What a bargain! |
| disturbances than those without cats. | | | | |