Animals Improve Our Lives

While walking with my daughter in San Juan one night, I saw a homeless man on the sidewalk with his four dogs. He was sitting on a blanket, and his four pets were sleeping peacefully beside him. I promised myself that after dinner, I would find him and try to offer financial help.

On the way back to our hotel, I saw them and crossed the street. As I approached, his pets sat up expectantly. My Spanish is terrible, but his English was good enough. I handed him the money and asked that he use it to help himself and his dogs. He was so grateful and told me that “they were his children.” We chatted briefly, and I told him I had four pets at home, and they, too, were part of my family. Ever the gentleman, he repeatedly blessed me and my family. I haven’t stopped thinking about them since.

According to a 2015 study, one in four homeless people have pets. This may increase their barriers to services because most healthcare facilities, public transportation, shelters, and other housing services do not permit pets. However, the study documented that almost 95% of homeless pet owners seeking veterinary care in Northern California reported that they would never accept a housing situation without their pets. I believe that was the case for the man I met in San Juan. His dogs appeared well-fed, and several had their own dog beds to sleep in while he lay on a thin blanket on the sidewalk. He seemed to put their needs ahead of his own.

Many homeless pet owners prioritize keeping their pets over obtaining services for themselves because their pets are important sources of emotional support, friendship, companionship, unconditional acceptance, and reduced loneliness.

The bond between pets and humans wasn't always like the relationships many of us have with them today. The human-animal bond has evolved over 15,000 years, beginning as a working relationship. Animals provided protection and service while hunting, farming, or performing other tasks necessary for day-to-day life. Dogs tracked and herded. Cats usually lived outdoors, hunting and killing rodents that could otherwise spread disease and damage food or other materials. Animals served people during wartime and still do. The United States Army Medical Department Journal mentions cavalry horses, sentry dogs, carrier pigeons, and even mascots in historical military animal roles. These animals provided protection and could offer their human counterparts stress relief and a sense of pride.

Impact on Mental and Physical Health

Owning a pet can favorably impact our physical and mental health. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research reported positive effects on the mental health of older adults. In a study on hospitalized US veterans diagnosed with dementia, introducing a pet dog to the unit resulted in a significantly greater number of social behaviors among the residents, including smiling or speaking in the animal's presence.

In another study, several nursing home patients were exposed to animal therapy sessions with a dog, and their responses were videotaped. The results showed that the residents exhibited less agitation and more social behaviors while with the dog.

The American Journal of Cardiology published a report that found owning a cat or a dog is associated with a decreased prevalence of hypertension. The authors suggested pet ownership provides emotional support, which may lower blood pressure due to reduced activity in the area of the central nervous system associated with the fight or flight response.

In a study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, the authors describe characteristics of pet ownership and physical and psychological well-being in Australian cancer survivors. They found that for cancer survivors, more frequent experiences of positive emotions and a higher sense of self-worth and purpose are associated with more significant mental health. Pet ownership was associated with a substantial increase in mental health scores, indicating that cancer survivors who keep a pet may have better overall mental health.

The authors concluded that pet ownership in cancer survivors is a potential leverage point for interventions designed to improve mental health and well-being during cancer recovery.

Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT)

AAT is a targeted intervention performed by a health professional with clear goals intended to develop and improve the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of the individuals involved.

Some research has shown that AAT with dogs causes an automatic relaxation response, resulting in decreased anxiety and loneliness, which improves mental health, and decreased blood pressure, which improves cardiovascular health and reduces the need for some cardiac medications. Other research has indicated that owning a pet has significant health effects, such as lowered risk factors for cardiovascular disease, improved chance of surviving a myocardial infarction, and decreased need for medical services during stressful life events.

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a sizeable systemic review of animal-assisted therapy in patients with neurological diseases, including spinal cord injuries, stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.

Their findings included the following:

• The use of dogs in animal therapy with dementia patients resulted in decreased stress, lowered anxiety and depression, and improved alertness and overall pleasure.
• Horses were the animal of choice for patients with multiple sclerosis. Working with horses and an occupational therapist improved the patients' spasticity, decreased fatigue, and improved balance.
• For caregivers of stroke patients, the use of animal-assisted therapy improved the caregiver’s quality of life as well as reduced stress regarding giving proper care to their loved one with a neurological disorder.
• In patients with spinal cord injuries, dogs were used to assist them with climbing a ramp, which led to less burden on their upper limbs.

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Humans' Best Friend

In 1870, Missouri attorney George Graham Vest represented a farmer suing for damages after his dog, Old Drum, was shot and killed. During the trial, Vest declared that he would "win the case or apologize to every dog in Missouri." In his summation to the jury, Vest stated:

"A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun’s journey through the heavens".

Attorney Vest won the case; the jury awarded fifty dollars to the dog owner, and Vest went on to win the appeal in the Missouri Supreme Court.