Pets and Happiness

Why Pets Make Us Happier Created by happify Science-based activities & games for a happier, healthier life at Happify.com HOW PETS AFFECT OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING Psychologists at Miami University have found that people who own pets are: More conscientious Plus, they have: Better self-esteem More social Healthier relationship styles Feeling Blue? Pet a dog Conjure up an image of your pet The act boosts levels of feel-good neuro- Studies show that just thinking about our animal companions wards off sadness after a rejection or social transmitters and hormones endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, & prolactin. isolation. When Work is Getting You Down Find out if you can bring your pet in. Dogs in the office: Reduce stress for Make the job more their owners satisfying for other workers WHAT'S THE MOST College students POPULAR PET TODAY? who live with a dog CATS or a cat (or both) 74,059,000 are less lonely & depressed. DOGS 69,926,000 FISH Kids who own both 57,750,000 dogs and cats are more empathetic than BIRDS those who live with 8,300,000 just one or the other-or neither. HORSES 4,856,000 *number of pets owned in the U.S. PETS OF THE FUTURE Robotic dogs help seniors in nursing homes feel less lonely and more connected-they were just as effective in one study as flesh-and-blood pooches. Animals may help us feel better because they: Grab our Offer social Give us physical contact with another living thing, which is good for both body and mind attention, which distracts and relaxes us support, which buffers stress ANIMALS ARE GOOD FOR YOU The Cure for Couch Potatoes Dog owners are 54% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than people without a pooch. Kids get more activity when they have a dog, too. Stress Busters Adopting a dog or cat brought down blood pressure levels better than medication in a study of hypertensive New York City stockbrokers. Swedish researchers found that interacting with a dog reduces heart rates and the stress hormone cortisol. TIP Keep your furry friend out of your room at night. Sleep disturbances from pets are on the rise, say docs at the Mayo Clinic. (Women are more likely to let their pets sleep in the bed than men are.) ANIMALS HELP US HEAL "Therapy animals" come in all forms: Llamas Wolves 900 Cats The number of therapeutic visits Rojo, an Oregon- based therapy Ilama, and his animal "co-workers" have made since 2007. Dogs Rabbits Horses PETS AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS 63% The percentage of pet owners who consider their animal companions to be family members. Unconditional Love-and Support People recover from stressful experiences faster when their pet is in the room than when they're with their spouse or a friend. Why? Because animals don't judge. Need a Wingman? 46% of women say they'd stop and talk to anyone with a cute pup, according to the American Kennel Club. THE RIGHT PET FOR YOU Dogs vs. Cats (vs. Birds vs. Fish) MO When choosing a pet as a companion, go with what feels right to you. Research shows that we're able to anthropo- morphize all types of animals and consider them our friends. If you're looking for a strong bond with your pup, choose one that loves attention. Clingy dogs have more attached owners, one study found. "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France Brought to you by happify Build skills for a happier life with fun, science-based activities and games at www.happify.com Sources Allen, K., Blascovich, J., Mendes, W.B. (2002) Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine. American Kennel Club / Kelton Research survey American Veterinary Medical Association.U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2012). Archaeology Magazine (September October 1999) Banks, M.R., Willoughby, L.M., Banks, W.A. (2008) Animal-Assisted Therapy and Loneliness in Nursing Homes: Use of Robotic versus Living Dogs. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Barker, R.T., Knisely, J.S., Barker, S.B., et al. (2012) Preliminary investigation of employee's dog presence on stress and organizational perceptions. international Journal of Workplace Health Management. Daly, B., Morton, L.L. (2006) An investigation of human-animal interactions and empathy as related to pet preference, ownership, attachment, and attitudes in children. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions Of People & Animals. Handlin, L; Cortisol, Insulin and Heart Rate-An Exploratory Study. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions Of People & Animals. Hydbring- g-Sandberg, E.; Nilsson, A. et al. (2011) Short-Term Interaction between Dogs and Their Owners: Effects on Oxytocin, Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin (March 2013) http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/depression_anxiety/JohnHopkinsDepressionAnxietyHealthAlert_1179-1.html Levine, G.N., Allen, K., Braun, L.T., et al.(2013) Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. Mayo Clinic http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-your-pets-disturbing-your-sleep-youre-not-alone-mayo-clinic-study-finds/ Odendaal, J.S.J., Meintjes, R.A. (1999) A Physiological Basis for Positive Human-Companion Interaction.Mondiald'ethologie. Staats, S., Wallaceb, H., Anderson, T. (2008) Reasons for Companion Animal Guardianship (Pet Ownership) from Two Populations. Society and Animals. University of Buffalo http://www.lbuffalo.edu/news/releases/1999/11/4489.html