12/28/2002
Dear Readers: A recent study has again confirmed the positive benefits of owning pets. According to a study done by Dr. Karen Allen at the State University of New York-Buffalo, pets help relieve stress in people.
Dr. Allen studied the stress levels in 480 people, while alone and in the presence of friends, spouses and pets. The study, reported in the September/October issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, revealed that pet owners had on average a significantly lower baseline heart rate and blood pressure than those participants who did not own pets.
The pet owners reacted less on various stress tests and returned to baseline levels more quickly than did non-pet owners. Owning either a cat or dog reduced stress.
Several theories may explain why even having a spouse was not as influential on lowering stress levels as owning a pet. It has been shown that people who interact with dogs have increased levels of the hormones oxytocin and phenylethylamine; these hormones produce pleasant feelings and a sense of well being.
It is also possible that people think friends and spouses are somehow evaluating them during the various stress tests, whereas pets are seen as nonjudgmental.
This research shows that even though having a spouse or friends can be beneficial, there's nothing like the love of a furry friend to make our lives better and less stressful. If you're having a particularly bad day, remember to spend a few minutes interacting with your pet!
Dr. Shawn P. Messonnier, author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats (Prima, $24.99), is a veterinarian and pet-care advocate. Write to him at 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75075, or e-mail.