LOS ANGELES—When I was told we would be having a special animal awareness issue, I knew this would be a fabulous opportunity to highlight the role that pets have in keeping us fit, healthy and well. Pets are a positive contributor to health and wellness, offering social, emotional and physical benefits. They bring a wealth of wonderful energy into our world.

Pets can make you healthier. For information on adopting a pet, please visit foala.org.

Pets have long been hailed as the key to happiness and contentment thanks to their naturally docile disposition and calming nature. For centuries, since long before Egyptian times and the civilization of mankind began, from as far back as 5000 B.C., animals have held a strong relationship with man. Initially pursued as a target prey, they later became a companion: dogs, cats, horses, birds and other small creatures of the wild became tamed and bonded with man. The cat was worshipped as a god by many in the far eastern world, representing motherhood, protection and fertility, while the dog was regarded as a symbol of power, bravery and strength, with statues and engravings from ancient civilizations firmly etching their mark in history.

Nowadays pets are still respected and recognized as a wonderful attribute to the family and individual. However, the full impact of the role they continue to play in our lives often goes unnoticed. Pets give a sense of purpose and companionship. Their presence increases the production of our happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine, giving a natural high and leaving us feeling uplifted. According to the British Medical Journal, keeping pets has long been linked to reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart attacks, strokes and the risk of mental illnesses including depression. Pets have also been linked to increased longevity. Those who have pets (particularly children) have been proven to have a lower risk of allergies and asthma, and a stronger immunity to future allergies and illnesses.

Research by the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Center for Human-Animal Interaction, showed that interaction with dogs give a distinct increase in the frequencies of brain waves associated with relaxation. The results showed dog owners to be calmer and to have lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Their companionship makes them ideal for the elderly and those living alone, giving security, self-esteem and confidence. Pets are loyal and show us unconditional love on every level. They are often used in therapy, as a best friend for the disabled, blind or deaf and are used to help children with special needs grow in confidence and awareness. They also enhance the social aspects of our lives by taking us outdoors, putting us in situations to meet new people and to exercise more too. Dogs are great running or walking friends for a fun workout on the beach or up the hills, keeping us fit and motivated. Horses encourage us to keep active too, with an average horseback ride burning up a large chunk of calories and giving us a super dose of fresh air to blow the cobwebs of stress and anxiety away.

We are blessed with so much in this world but the presence of animals to enrich our lives (and theirs) comes high up there with the best of the best. If you don’t have a pet, visit an animal shelter or adoption home and there will be an animal that is sure to suit you and your lifestyle. Alternatively, there are many animal sanctuaries that are desperate for extra help. Volunteering is a most rewarding and fun way to pass a spare couple of hours each week and reap the benefits of being around animals and contributing towards their welfare.

Pets are reliable, trustworthy and increase the quality of life for their owners and families. They ask for nothing but love in return for their unfaltering adoration, respect and devotion to their owners.  They give far more benefits than any self-help book or therapist ever could. So cuddle up to your pet today and say thanks for being the best friend anyone could ask for!

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