For many pet owners, nothing compares to the joy of coming home knowing there’s a furry friend waiting for them. While some think animals just give humans a momentary rush of dopamine, it’s much deeper than that. The unconditional love that animals offer people gives them the support many people don’t know how to ask for.
There are many different benefits of having a pet. From the calming presence of animals to the simple act of petting a dog, owning a pet can provide people with a way to relieve stress. After years of working closely with animals and observing student interactions, biology teacher Charlie Martin has developed his own perspective on the connection between animals and mental health.
“I’m a little biased because I’ve worked with animals so much, but I think it’s on different scales. One, if you look at the nature side of it, people tend to associate relaxing in pretty places [with animals]. They hear the birds chirp, they see the animals around them, so there’s an aesthetic appeal to that,” Martin said. “On a personal basis, just petting them, being around them, and improving a little blood pressure can calm people down and have a really good effect for getting rid of anxiety and stress. I see the excitement and happiness whenever they [students] tell me they got a new puppy or they received a new pet.”
For sophomore Abigail Bane, the connection between animals and mental health is not just something supported by research, but something she feels each day when she walks through her front door. Bane believes having a pet provides people with many benefits.
“I think that they [animals] can be really comforting, and that they can supply a good friend and be somebody that’s always there for you. It’s just the fact that you know there’s somebody always there for you. When I go home every day and I see my dogs I’m so excited to see them,” Bane said.
Caring for an animal takes dedication. Introducing the responsibility of a pet into someones life can provide them with something to motivate them. Freshman Emma Teague believes that having a pet can change people’s lives in many different ways.
“I think it [having an animal] gives that person a sense of responsibility, something that they may not have in their life, and it also gives somebody a sense of comfort. I think that it [animals] can lower stress levels, and it can make somebody very happy. I think that animals have many benefits,” Teague said.
While animals offer amazing support and comfort, nothing can replace the solace humans find in each other. Martin recognizes the strong emotional support animals can provide, but acknowledges the importance of human relationships too.
“I think animals are great to supplement human relationships, but I think we still need someone that we can bounce ideas off of and be around,” Martin said.
Because of the calming nature many pets can provide, they often have a positive impact on mental health. Emma McNutt believes that having a pet offers more than companionship.
“I think definitely having a dog or a cat or any kind of animal just makes a person’s mental health better,” McNutt said.
The idea of animals providing people with comfort isn’t just proved through feelings. Research has been conducted to prove the science behind why animals offer comfort. Sophomore Kaz Carpenter’s personal experiences prove the benefits animals provide.
“I think they [animals] positively affect people’s mental health, they’re so nice to be around, and there’s been studies that show that they increase dopamine levels. Having a companion and having something to come home to after a long day makes me look forward to it,” Carpenter said.
Animals have always played a role in people’s lives. They provide comfort and companionship that can benefit mental health. At the end of the day, sometimes comfort doesn’t come in words, but with the simple comfort of knowing you’re not alone.