At the end of a long day, where you’re physically and mentally exhausted, only a few things can instantly turn around a mood and brighten your day. One of those, likely, is a pet.  Although we may not consciously acknowledge the sense of relief and joy our beloved pets provide us, numerous scientific and mental health studies have shown us that pets and mental health support can go hand in hand.

The Benefits of a Pet on our Mental Health

Pets may bring direct physical health benefits. For example, owning a dog means you will be taking them for walks, and therefore getting more steps in every day. Playing with a pet can also lower your blood pressure and even your cholesterol level.

But a pet can bring countless mental health benefits as well- relieving feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression; decreasing loneliness; promoting happiness; and creating opportunities for socialization.

Many different reasons contribute to why pets have these benefits. A pet gives you something to care for- from feeding a fish every day to finding a toy your car loves. That sense of purpose can be very rewarding. A pet can also provide a sense of physical security, which can relieve stress and anxiety. Oftentimes, caring for a pet involves developing a routine, which can create the structure that is good for mental health. A pet can also be a distraction- something to help you focus your mind elsewhere.

Not to mention, pets often intuitively know when you need that distraction and support, and will often intervene to comfort you without you even asking for it- a level of companionship and loyalty that can be incredibly rewarding.

Is Pet Ownership Right for Me?

It is important to be fully informed when you take on a pet. While they can provide many benefits, overcommitting can create stress and frustration, which counteracts those positive mental health effects.

  • Cost: Pets will have vet bills, food bills, and other needs
  • Space: Will your pet need a yard? Will they have space to play inside? Where will they sleep?
  • Mess: Some pets, especially young ones, may chew on furniture, have bathroom accidents in the home, or cause other types of messes.
  • Time: If you are always away from your home- working, traveling, etc- will you be able to devote the time to your pet that it deserves? Or if your pet will need training, do you have time to put that on your plate?
  • Socialization: If you have small children or other animals in your home, make sure you find a pet that’s suitable to them.
  • Exercise: Some animals require lots of time spent exercising, so find a pet that matches your energy level.

If you’re concerned about fully committing to pet ownership, consider other ways you can take baby steps. You can consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or fostering an animal, for example.

Specialized Pets, Support Animals and Mental Health

Any pet can bring all of the benefits we’ve discussed here, and finding your match may be as simple as going to your local animal shelter (like the Jacksonville Humane Society or Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services). But it is worth noting that animals- especially dogs- can be trained to act as a specialized companion.

Trained service dogs, for example, can help military veterans struggling with PTSD- as evidenced by the work of St. Johns County based-K9s for Warriors. Therapy dogs are also widely used in large-scale situations, for example, you’ll often find them at local college campuses during exam weeks, to provide students a quick relaxation break.

In some cases, treatment for mental health challenges may include a trained service animal. That decision should be made in conjunction with a mental health care provider and an animal should be matched with the help of specialized organizations.

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