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40 years ago my grandparents bought a fixer-up five acre farm in Lancaster County. They
spent years rebuilding it into a beautiful property. Of course owning a farm, one must fill it with
animals, so they did. They both adore animals so they filled the farm with horses, goats,
donkeys, swans, ducks, chickens, peacocks, dogs, cats, potbelly pigs, and the list goes on and on.
My grandparents are in their 80s now and they still live on the farm but they act and feel like
they are in their 60s. I think the reason they are still so young at heart and the reason they are in
impeccable shape and their overall health is due to the fact of them having animals around them.
Countless studies have been done to show the correlation between animals and human
health. Research has shown that individuals who have a pet are sick less, are able to recover
faster from serious health conditions, and are truly just happier. More and more individuals are
realizing the many health benefits that comes along with owning a pet; not only the physical
aspect but the social and mental health as well. Pets are being more widely accepted in nursing
homes. For someone who is living alone that individual does not receive much socialization and
the individual becomes reserved and at points hostile. Allowing animals in to visit gives the
person a sense of self-worth, happiness, something to love, touch, talk to, and animals also give
people undying affection. ”Reviewing 25 studies on the effects of pets on elderly people in
nursing homes… it was found that residents exposed to pets consistently smiled more and
became measurably more alert than those who did not encounter animals. Physically-aggressive
patients became more noticeably tolerant of people standing near them when an animal was
present…Animals normalize the environment, and allow people to be more appropriate, more at
ease.”("Pets for the Elderly Foundation").

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The interaction between pets and people is remarkable. Animals have a tremendous
impact on a person’s mental health that other individuals or medication would not be able to
attribute for. With more and more elderly adults living and the feeling of loneliness and isolation
rising having an animal around gives the person more interest in his or her life. “Pets give the
elderly something to care for, as well as providing an opportunity for exercise and socialization.
Taking care of a pet can also serve as an alarm clock for elderly people – reminding him to take
care of himself, too. In fact, animal companionship can dramatically improve the quality of life
and may even have a positive impact on longevity.” ("Pets for the Elderly Foundation"). Many
people see being “social” as a mental health trait, however, it is. Someone who is a pet owner has
the enhanced ability to socialize which directly correlates to an overall healthy state of mind.
“Pet interaction, whether active or passive, tends to lower anxiety levels in subjects, and thus
decrease the onset, severity, or progression of stress-related conditions.1 Furthermore, it is
thought that the reduction in blood pressure achieved through dog ownership can be equal to the
reduction achieved by changing to a low salt diet or cutting down on alcohol.” ("National
Research Center for Women and Families").
One of the obvious benefits of having a companion pet is cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease is one of highest killers and steps to lower ones risk are extremely simple.
Instead of a Pop Tart for breakfast enjoy a bowl of Cheerios. Instead of having greasy, salty fries
with a burger, eat a salad. Or, the simplest preventative step, just pet a pet. In a study conducted
in 2002, researchers measured participants’ blood pressure and heart rate against participants
whom were not pet owners. The participants were put into a stressful situation, a timed math
exam, and the results showed that the individuals who had a pet had a lower resting heart rate
and blood pressure at the beginning of the test versus those who do not own a pet. The study also

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showed that the participants who did own pets had less spikes in their blood pressure and heart
rate readings during the experiment. This experiment also showed how quickly blood pressure
and heart rate dropped with the individuals who were pet owners. Finally, the study also showed
that when the individual’s pet was in the room with him or her that the individual made fewer
mistakes on the test. (Weil ). This study, along with countless others, shows the direct correlation
between animals and cardiovascular fitness in humans.
A few years ago a family friend suffered a severe stroke and was paralyzed on one side of
his body and his mind became partially handicapped. Prior to his accident, he was renowned
neurosurgeon and I always knew him as a very intelligent man. As part of his rehabilitation
therapy his family and his therapist would drive him out to our farm so he could get some
interaction. As soon as he saw all the different animals you could see his eyes immediately light
up and he became much more vocal. The therapist had him pick up a brush and brush our
miniature horse. Brushing our horse, Fannie, allowed him to use his stroke-affected side while
having fun. When he would come over for therapy with the animals it was always a new
situation for him. Getting him out of the retirement home and into a different setting definitely
had a positive impact on him. The therapist and his family noticed that when he had therapy at
the farm he was more energetic and more motivated.
After watching this experience and growing up around animals my whole life influenced
my decision in a career. Once I graduate from Alvernia I will continue my education for a
Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Therapy. I strongly believe in the powerful influence of
animals on humans and I think that Animal Rehabilitation Therapy will soon be a new frontier in
Rehabilitation techniques because of all the positive qualities it has.

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References

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"Pets and Health: The Impact of Companion Animals." National Research Center for
Women and Families. n. page. Web. 2 May. 2013. <www.center4research.org>.
"More Evidence Pets Lower Stress." Pets for the Elderly Foundation. (1999): n. page.
Web. 2 May. 2013. <www.petsfortheelderly.org>.
Weil, Andrew. "Health Benefits of Companion Animals." n. page. Web. 2 May. 2013.
<www.drweil.com>.