Pets bring us life in a way that few other things can. Many people purchase a pet to have a companion that they can come home to so that they feel they are not alone, and have a loving animal there for them when needed.
Many people also find that these pets can be a source of calmness in an ever-stressful world. There is something about having a pet that can help us feel more at home. Studies have even shown that pets can provide us with anti-anxiety benefits, but it is important to note that those anti-anxiety benefits come with a caveat: that, as amazing as pets can be for our anxiety, we have to remember that they can also be a cause.
The Anxiety Calming Benefits of Pets
“Many clients find that their pet can be a source of calmness” says Audrey Jung, a therapist in Phoenix that also runs a nationwide Private Practice Executive Coaching company. “Sometimes, when working with clients that feel high stress, I tell them that they may benefit from petting their dogs or sitting with them during and after sessions.”
Studies have shown, for example, that pets can reduce cortisol, reduce loneliness, and increase self-reported social support scores. Some pets are used as therapy animals for those that are struggling with high stress issues. Dogs may also be able to sense when someone is stressed or anxious and provide them with comfort that can help ease it. All of these show that pets have the potential to provide benefit to an individual’s anxiety.
The Needs of Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals
However, as Audrey is quick to clarify, “pets can also cause anxiety in some people as well. I have clients that feel anxiety when their dogs bark at strangers, and those that are concerned about their dogs when they’re away.” She notes that dog ownership can potentially be a great strategy for those that are struggling, but “getting a dog should be something you do because you love dogs, not because you’re looking for a cure for your stress.”
Part of our role here at FurBabies Home Pet Care is to make sure that you have a way to reduce some of that stress. We are a pet sitter in the Lake Mary and Sanford area that can help take your dogs on walks, help your pets when you’re away, and even run errands for your pets as needed.
Pets are amazing. But they also need care. If you need extra support to help you manage your pet so that you can focus on other components of self-care in your life, please contact FurBabies Home Pet Care, today.
