It’s Called, Bond… Animal Bond.
The Human Animal Bond is important to the health and well-being of pet owners. More and more households include pets, and most of these pet owners consider their pets to be a family member.
- Many families with a pet report an increase in family happiness and fun
- Pet owners feel safer when walking with a dog or sharing a residence with a dog
- Families with pets have better physical and mental health
- Relating to pets improves relationships with other people
Pets benefit children:
- Children exposed to pets during the first year of life have a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis and asthma
- Children with pets show greater self-esteem, empathy and self-reliance
- Kids with pets are more physically active and involved in activities such as sport, hobbies, clubs or chores
- Pets are a great way to teach children about responsibility and caring for others
Pets benefit seniors:
- Seniors with pets make fewer doctor visits and cope better with stressful events
- Medication costs are lower in long term care facilities that have animals as part of the environment
- Activities of daily living levels deteriorate less with seniors who own pets
Pets are like therapists:
- 33% of married women say their pets are better listeners than their husbands
- 18% of married men say their pets are better listeners than their wives
- 8% of pet owners claim they talk about their personal problems to their pets
