My City Wellness Spring 2021

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AND THE WELLNESS IT CREATES FOR BOTH PET & OWNER

BY JOE HENDRICKS, DVM

O ne of the great veterinary medicine has been to witness the wonderful mystery of the human-animal bond. From the time we decided to invite animals into our lives and homes, we humans have attached our emotions to our furry companions, and they, in turn, attach their emotions right back to us. This heartfelt connection with our pets creates a bond that has both physical and psychological implications for both parties. Dogs and cats hold special places in this connection, as they usually inhabit our most intimate living spaces. We bring our pets into our living rooms, dens, kitchens, bedrooms and indeed, our beds. Dog and cat owners spend a great deal of their day with their pets. We walk, play with, groom, feed and train our pets. They take up a lot of the bandwidth of our minds as we think and talk about how enamored of pleasures of my 40-year career in

companionship to an otherwise lonely process. The mere act of walking our dogs daily is of great benefit in numerous ways. Dogs and cats are social animals and although they may express their need for companionship and belonging in different ways, both species thrive in the presence of a strong human bond. A pet’s psychological wellbeing depends to a large degree on the strength and health of the bond it has built with its owner. Psychological health so often translates into physical health; so, the way we nourish and develop our mutual bond affects the wellness of our pets.

them we are. Many of our conversations revolve around our relationships with our pets. The bond this creates affects almost every aspect of our lives and the lives of our animal companions. Emotions that we and our pets feel surrounding this bond affects the wellbeing of both parties involved. Medical studies have shown that a relationship with a pet can lower blood pressure, reduce heart disease and lengthen life expectancy. Pets have a positive effect on mental health stability. When a person is recovering

from clinical depression, adopting a cat or dog can alleviate stress and bring

→ PETS PROVIDE SO MUCH EMOTION AND AFFECTION, AS WE DO THE SAME FOR THEM, IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW THIS RELATIONSHIP ADDS TO THEWELLBEING OF ALL PARTIES.

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