Happiness is a warm dog (or cat),
experts say
Buying new clothes may be a quick fix for happiness, but if you
want a longer-lasting alternative outside the closet, medical
researchers and psychologists recommend adopting a companion
animal.
"Having a pet allows a person to learn to take care of something
and elevates the sense of caring, which positively supports the
development of well-being," said Monty P. Satiadarma, a
psychologist at the Tarumanagara University in Jakarta.
He explained the ability to express one's feelings of caring,
such as for a pet, creates a sense of lightness in a person.
"People have lots of needs, and one of those is the need for
nurturance. Since animals are living beings, caring for them
increases the person's feeling of being meaningful to the
subject being cared for and that meaningful feeling of the self
supports the development of well-being," he said.
Pets are credited not only for dispelling loneliness, but also
for lifting their owners out of the blues.
Dogs are able to pick up on a master's feelings almost
instinctively, which can strengthen the bonds between master and
pet, Monty explained.
"Every experience we have triggers our glands to secrete a
liquid or an antibody, and a canine's powerful olfactory sense
can smell and interpret these body chemicals our glands give off
as either positive or negative, so whenever an owner has stress,
it will be sensed by the dog," he said.
Putu Tommy Yudha S. Suyasa, a lecturer in psychology also at
Tarumanagara University, said, "It's understood that when we are
happier, we are healthier, and pets provide us with that
connection by helping us feel not alone, and that in turn
elevates our feelings of well-being and happiness."
Monty, who oversaw a research paper on the positive effects of
animal companionship on the elderly, and Tommy, who assisted
him, said those who are living alone would benefit healthwise
from having an animal as they help their owners feel less
anxiety and alleviate feelings of isolation.
"Both having pets and caring for pets trigger feelings of care
and that is emotionally healthy [for any age]," Monty added.
Tommy, who has owned a dog for seven years, said a pet gives
owners renewed purpose, distracts them from daily problems,
encourages communication with others, and allows another outlet
for physical exercise. In turn, these benefits brighten a
person's overall outlook on life.
An Australian study discovered that those who owned an animal
had lower blood pressure and lower levels of cholesterol and
triglycerides, as well as a reduced likelihood of developing
heart disease than those who did not have a pet. In addition,
the study observed that these risks were still lower despite the
pet owners' consumption of above average amounts of meat and
fast food.
Another study of heart attack victims in the US noted those who
were pet owners usually survived another year longer than those
who did not own an animal.
Long-term healthcare facilities abroad recognize the health
benefits that pets provide to humans, and enlist companion
animals to help patients cope with terminal illnesses and
physical, mental or emotional disabilities.
Resident or visiting cats and dogs are considered invaluable
assistants with their selfless characteristics of companionship,
comfort and attention they provide for patients, and are shown
to effectively complement treatments for a number of mental
health disorders, especially depression, autism and dementia.
Medical care workers abroad have observed that patients
interacting with animals become less anxious, respond better to
treatment and communicate easier with the therapist.
While animal-assisted therapy or pet therapy in hospitals and
institutions abroad has grown in popularity over the past
several decades, it is not a new health trend.
Animal-assisted therapy can be traced back to British Quakers in
the 18th century, who would have farm animals interact with
mentally ill patients to avoid the unpleasant psychiatric
treatments commonly used at the time.
Although conditions in Indonesia may not be conducive for the
arrival of animal-assisted therapy as of yet, Monty was
optimistic about the future as he noticed more people accepting
pets in their lives as evidenced by the growing number of animal
salons sprouting up around the capital.
He also said people were quite surprised to learn from the media
that Muslims in other countries used and cared for dogs that
played an important role in locating explosive devices.
Birds and fish might not be as cute and cuddly as their furry
counterparts, but Monty said they occupied a special place in
people's hearts here.
"Freshwater fish are kept in ponds as pets and in Central Java
songbirds are bred not only for competition, but to enjoy their
singing."
Aside from animals improving human health and well-being, Monty
pointed out that owners find their pets listen with compassion
at the end of a trying day, accept them without judgment and
give limitless entertainment without lifting a paw.
While the medical community will expound how important it is for
humans to be around animals, pet owners can feel reassurance in
knowing their lives are enriched from having a familiar furry
friend waiting at the door for them when they come home.