April 28, 1997

Pet Ownership Can Bring Better Health
According to the Latest Research

BLACKSBURG -- Veterinarians and many, if not most, pet owners have long recognized the importance of the human-animal bond in people's lives. However, according to Kent Roberts, DVM, Virginia Cooperative Extension veterinary specialist, trying to pin down specific human benefits of this bond has not been easy.

"This is beginning to change," says Roberts. "A number of recent studies have demonstrated some of these benefits we felt sure were there, but had not been able to prove."

In addition to the companionship, protection, and the fulfillment gained from nurturing and caring for another living organism, researchers are proving that pets can improve the health of their owners and caregivers. "Several years ago, one of the earliest studies showed that stroking an animal promotes relaxation and can lower a person's blood pressure and slow their heart rate," says Roberts. "Now, thanks to several research projects, we have more proof that pet ownership can be good for your health."

A study of 1,000 Medicare patients conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles found that those who owned pets had fewer medical care visits than those who did not own pets.

A project at Australia's Baker Medical Research Institute evaluated 5,741 men and women for heart disease risk factors. Researchers found that the 784 pet owners had lower blood pressure and lower levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison to the non pet owners.

Research conducted at England's Cambridge University showed how people's health could be improved by pet ownership. The investigators recruited non pet owners for their study. They gave one group of people cats, a second group dogs, and a third group no pet. After a specified time, the investigators returned to the three groups to receive their reports. Those who received pets reported that their general health had improved. Those who received dogs reported the most improvement, probably because they did more walking.

Work at the State University of New York in Buffalo found that disabled people in wheelchairs who had service dogs were less depressed, less dependent on caregivers, and more active outside their homes than those without service dogs. "Each of these service dogs saved as much as $60,000 in patient-care costs over their eight-year working life span, as compared to the approximately $10,000 it costs to train a service dog," notes Roberts.

"These scientific studies help emphasize the many benefits of pet ownership, particularly those relating to human health and well-being," says Roberts. "Prospective pet owners should remember that in return for these benefits, pet owners have accepted the responsibilities, costs, and time commitments needed for successful human-animal bond. Properly caring for a pet must happen before a pet owner can realize the important, and often intangible, benefits of pet ownership."

Contact: Kent Roberts
Extension veterinarian emeritus
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-

Writer: Nancy Templeman
ARE Communications
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6185
email: templemn@vt.edu

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