Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 14 : Fall 2012 | Page 78

Healthy You:

Stay Well With Animals
by Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center

In loving memory of Edwina LeVasseur pictured here with Willie.

When my grandmother passed away unexpectedly
earlier this year one source of comfort came from our
family’s pets, including the plump rusty orange cat named
Willie that my Gram adopted as a kitten. There has been
something therapeutic about being near the animal that had
been my Gram’s constant companion. He has provided us a
tangible and meaningful way to continue to feel connected
to her. But pet ownership can do more than brighten
up a bad day. Numerous well-documented studies have
shown that the human-animal bond can improve physical,
psychological, and social well-being.
Physical Well-being

One of the most dramatic health benefits of having
a pet has been demonstrated through several studies on
cardiovascular disease. The National Institute of Health
followed 421 adults who had suffered a heart attack and
found that, one year later, dog owners had a significantly
better survival rate regardless of the severity of the heart
attack. And a 20-year study found that people who had
never had a pet were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart
attack than those who had.1 According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, there is strong evidence
that having a pet companion can decrease blood pressure,
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cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. “Some of these health
benefits can be attributed to the pet owner’s lifestyle,” said
Dr. Piper of Pines Health Services. “Generally speaking,
people with a pet are more active. They walk their dog
or play with their cat. This physical activity can certainly
contribute to better health and, in particular, significantly
reduce the risk of heart disease.”

There are, however, several other factors that also
appear to impact a pet owner’s wellness:
Cat owners tend to have fewer strokes than people who
don’t own cats. Researchers aren’t sure why yet, but there
is speculation that owning a pet can improve a person’s
circulation.
A growing number of studies have suggested that children
who grow up with a pet in the home are less likely to have
allergies, asthma, or eczema, and have higher levels of the
chemicals that indicate a stronger immune system. This
suggests that exposure at a young age to the inevitable dirt
and allergens associated with owning a pet builds a resistance
to the triggers that can cause allergy-related problems in the
future. 2

A study conducted by the National Institute of
Health found that pet owners typically have lower heart
rates and recover faster from stressful situations. There is