Pets and therapy
The StrokeConnections Team came across an interesting article by a research associate at Adelaide’s Flinders University, Dr Bradley Smith. Published in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ publication the Australian Family Physician (AFP) in June, Dr Smith’s paper draws on other studies to examine the health benefits of pet ownership.
Among the documented benefits of owning a pet that caught our attention are:
• Improved cardiovascular health – pets can reduce stress and lower blood pressure (the highest modifiable risk factor for stroke)
• Physical fitness – although this was mostly related to dog ownership, pets can improve your physical fitness by making you more active than you may otherwise be in a day
• Improved social health – pets can be a good way to meet people and can open other social options, like joining an animal club or society.
The list goes on – pets can have a positive effect on mental health, and can have a powerful role in child development for some children. If you can’t have a pet of your own at home and you like the idea, there are still ways of reaping some of these benefits. Some pets are very low-maintenance (some fish, for example) but if it’s doggie fur you’re after there are some alternatives. Go for a walk with a friend and their dog or even make the most of dog visiting services.