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Aging Well
Pets and Healthy AgingSharing your life with a pet may be just what the doctor orderedWhen you’re down, they’re up. When you’re lonely, they’re a friend. Our pets are our pals, family members and confidants, lavishing on us what the people in our lives often can’t provide—unconditional love and acceptance.Beyond that warm and fuzzy feeling, though, Fido, Fluffy and Tweetie actually may be keys to healthier aging. Studies show that pet ownership has many health benefits, from bolstering our self-esteem to boosting our physical fitness. “Pets give us a sense of being needed,” says Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network geriatrician Francis Salerno, M.D. For those who’ve lost a spouse or whose children have left home, a pet brings order and purpose to life. Then there’s the matter of stress relief. “Petting an animal is extremely relaxing,” Salerno says. “Pets actually may lower your blood pressure and heart rate. People who have pets seem to have a lower incidence of heart attacks and strokes.” Pets also may help us get a better night’s sleep. “As people age, their sleep cycles change,” Salerno says. “But when you’re responsible for a pet, you get into a routine for going to bed and getting up.” Finally, if you have a dog, you own what’s been called “the best exercise machine there is.” Walking Fido keeps your heart in shape and your figure trim. Since dogs are great conversation starters, that daily walk also is likely to spark new friendships and ward off isolation. Social connections are another essential of a healthy mind, body and spirit as we age. Around the house, dogs can serve as an impaired person’s eyes and ears, and barking is a very effective security alarm. In nursing homes and hospitals, therapy dogs—specially selected and trained for their dispositions and obedience—have long been welcome visitors. “A cold nose and warm fur are the perfect prescription for bringing people out of their shells,” says Jane Mann of Greater Lehigh Therapy Dogs. “The caregivers love it because the residents are more motivated when they know the dogs are coming. The residents love it because here’s a little touch of home coming in with a wagging tail.” The dogs often prompt residents to reminisce about beloved childhood pets and people. Beyond providing cheer, dogs can help control depression. Some even can detect oncoming seizures, says therapy dog owner Barbara Katz, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “I knew one woman who carried a letter from her psychiatrist saying her dog was permitted to go everywhere with her because it helped control her anxiety,” Katz says. It all shows the power of the company we keep—whether it barks, meows, chirps or swims. “If you put the needs of your pet before your own,” Salerno says, “a positive reciprocal relationship forms that’s very rewarding.” Clearly, people and animals need each other. In today’s technology-heavy world, that connection may be more vital than ever.
Want to Know More about choosing the right pet or about pet therapy? Call 610-402-CARE or click on the following links: Greater Lehigh Therapy Dogs, What It Takes To Become a Therapy Dog, Guide to Choosing the Right Pet For You, Resources For Choosing and Living With a Pet. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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