Did you know that roughly 33% of Americans deal with mental health issues like anxiety and depression? A lot of doctors suggest getting emotional support animals to help out. Studies have shown that having a pet can cut stress and anxiety by 62%. Plus, about 84% of pet owners say they feel happier just being around their furry friends.
According to johnshopkinsmedicine.org, pets benefit our mental and physical health. It lowers cortisol while boosting oxytocin, which promotes feelings of connection. Cortisol is a stress hormone that affects both mental health and the health of organs. However, when around your pets, Oxytocin, a love and bonding chemical, is activated. This hormonal shift helps reduce stress and can keep blood pressure in check, which lowers the risk of high blood pressure and Ventricular tachycardia, which is a heart rhythm disorder that can be life threatening. Petting an animal, such as a dog or cat, releases oxytocin and lowers cortisol, which is beneficial for your mental health and and lowers blood pressure.
Many people struggle with disabilities that affect their everyday lives, and emotional support animals can help them. The article, “The Friend Who Keeps You Young,“ states that A study in 2011 found that pet owners had better self-esteem, pets supported their owners with mitigating depression, pets gave their owner a sense of purpose, and made friends who share your animal’s interest.
Emotional support animals or service animal can a alert someone if their owner is indanger wether its a seizure or cancer. Since emotional support animals bring their owners oxytocin, their depression has decreased and mental health has improved. In short, emotional support animals reduce depression and improve mental health within their owners, and service dogs help guide their owners or call for help when needed.
Overall, Animals can help you in many ways, to improve your mental health, or help their owners with their everyday life. If you struggle with disabilities, whether it’s mental or emotional, consider getting an emotional support animal to support you!
