Understanding the Human-Animal Bond and Pet-Safe Plants

Brown and White Dog Sitting with a Woman Overlooking a Lake (Courtesy: Pixabay.com/Seaq68)

 

What is the Human-Animal Bond?

It describes the dynamic bond or relationship between people and the animals that share their lives. According to the Bayer company, this bond began to evolve over 15,000 years ago as a working relationship. Today, this bond has integrated our animals into every part of our life, family and home!

 

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), offers five priceless health benefits (mental, emotional and physical) from the human-animal bond during the good and tough times.

 

1. Alleviates Stress

  • Most pet owners believe animals help:

  • Connect them to other people.

  • Provide crucial companionship.

  • Help reduce stress.

  • Lower heart rates and blood pressure; and

  • Provide a sense of purpose.

The Human-Animal Bond is Priceless (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)

 

2. Fights Depression

In a HABRI survey of family doctors, an astonishing 87% of their patients said their mood and/or outlook improved with pet ownership! Pets even make their owners laugh more every day further easing mental health issues.

 

3. Addresses Social Isolation/Loneliness

Most of us experience social isolation and loneliness at some point in our lives. This is especially true for older adults. Pets provide non-conditional love and emotional social support which positively influences isolation, loneliness and mental health. 

The Undeniable Bond Between Human and Service Dog (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)

 

4. Improves & Encourages Physical Activity

Owning a dog can be particularly useful in inducing more physical activity (dog walk anyone?) and even dog-friendly recreational activities offering a significant impact on reducing obesity and increasing physical fitness. Regular exercise is also known to help alleviate stress, depression and isolation.

 

5. Facilitates Healing & Resiliency

Pets also play a crucial role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and health issues. In addition, pets also help improve their guardians’ overall healing and fewer health risks.

 

Purify Your Home this Winter with these 8 Pet-Safe Plants!

With our homes tightly barricaded against the colder temperatures, airborne pollutants can accumulate in not only ourselves but our dogs and other pets. In a new study shared by Dr. Karen Becker, dogs have SIX TIMES MORE household chemical pollutants concentrated in their bodies! 

The 8 pet-safe plants below can help purify the air in your home helping to protect all occupants this winter.

8 Pet-Safe Plants to Purify Your Home (Courtesy: The Forever Dog.)

 

Learn more from Dr. Karen Becker, the co-author of “The Forever Dog” here: http://tinyurl.com/PetSafePlantsThatPurify.

Human-Animal Bond, Pet-Safe PlantsMobility Service Dogs - West Coast ProjectPet-Safe Plants that Purify the Air, Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond, Alleviate Stress, Fight Depression, Address Social Isolation, Lessen Loneliness, Healing, Resiliency