*Cue the James Bond theme*
Much like the man of mystery himself, the significant bond between pets and their owners can be hard to clearly define. You can’t see it, but you know it's there. Relationships between humans and domestic animals go back over tens of thousands of years, providing us with a rich history of the significant role four-legged friends play in our lives.
Join us as we take a deeper look at how this secret bond delivers significant positive impact to all facets of our lives.
License to Heal: Cardiovascular health
Although they might not be harbouring any secret weapons themselves, the companionship between humans and pets could be likened to a secret gadget for our health. A recent meta-analysis showed that dog ownership appears to have the remarkable effect of reducing risk of cardiovascular death by 31% (hit the ‘paws’ button there, that’s a significant number!) Our courageous allies (with the help of their undying faith and positivity) may also help control and prevent high blood pressure (hypertension) as well as improve the prognosis of patients after strokes and myocardial infarction. Overall, dog ownership has even been associated with a lower risk of death potentially due to improved cardiovascular health1.
GoldenEye-ssues: Mental health
It’s said that Sigmund Freud had a Chow Chow called Jofi who frequently sat in on therapy sessions. Jofi provided comfort for the infamous neurologist and psychoanalyst, as well as his patients. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is now used in a wide range of therapeutic and institutional settings today.
During the pandemic, the benefits of pets to mental health were even more apparent, with reports of our fearless, furry friends helping people battle loneliness and providing them with a sense of purpose. Dog walking also creates opportunities for new human-to-human social interactions which can be observed in any busy dog park. Although there is still more research to be done in the area, there are some studies that suggest that there is a positive correlation between the strength of human-animal bond, and development in children2.
The Fur-baby That Loved Me: Children and pets
Pets are often viewed as a normal part of growing up in New Zealand, and families with children make up a large portion of pet owners. More than being a simple playmate and confidante, pets are catalysts for important values such as confidence and responsibility in children and young adults. Through their nurturing role, pets can awaken untapped potential in children, fostering an emotional expression2.
Research has found that children with very strong attachments to pets are often likely to have higher levels of empathy3. In some cases, pets can be just as valuable as children as an outlet for human nurturing instincts. Increasingly, pets are considered to be valued members of the family.
Diamonds Are Fur-ever: Pets and the elderly
The role of pets in the lives of the elderly is a mission of profound significance, and pets shine as bright here as Bond’s iconic Aston Martin. Caring for a pet may even help those with dementia with benefits like increased activity like walks, better cognitive function, and being less depressed than those with no role in caring for a pet4. The important role of pets was particularly notable for the elderly during the pandemic lockdowns when social and emotional connections were limited, and the positive impacts of having a furry companion during that period have been reported5. Cuddling and patting pets also provides comfort and enhances wellbeing, especially in times when physical distancing is imposed. And, what makes the thrill even better? It’s when our pets demand a pat or snuggle, orchestrating a moment of pure bliss for them and us.
Bundle of Solace: When Meg met Milly – Assistance Dogs and their owners
We invite you in to discover the story of when Meg met Milly, and how two lives changed forever. This meeting was incredibly significant as Meg, who was aged 16 at the time, was the youngest person ever in New Zealand to receive an epilepsy assist dog from the NZ Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust. And Milly was the first epilepsy assist dog to sashay into a high school by her new owner’s side.
Finally, the heroes we didn’t know we needed
As the relationship between us and our pets evolve, we’ll continue to uncover deeper insights into this special bond. Just like agent 007’s thrilling escapades, our furry companions enrich our lives in countless ways. As we protect and nurture them, they reward us with boundless joy and unconditional love. It’s a match made in heaven!
References:
1Surma, S., Oparil, S., & Narkiewicz, K. (2022). Pet ownership and the risk of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Current Hypertension Reports, 24(8), 295-302. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11906-022-01191-8
2Poresky, R. H., & Hendrix, C. (1990). Differential effects of pet presence and pet-bonding on young children. Psychological Reports, 67(1), 51-54. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles-Hendrix/publication/20920491_Differential_Effects_of_Pet_Presence_and_Pet-Bonding_on_Young_Children/links/5d922383299bf10cff1cb279/Differential-Effects-of-Pet-Presence-and-Pet-Bonding-on-Young-Children.pdf
3Hawkins, R. D., Williams, J. M., & Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA). (2017). Childhood attachment to pets: Associations between pet attachment, attitudes to animals, compassion, and humane behaviour. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(5), 490. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5451941/
4Klimova, B., Toman, J., & Kuca, K. (2019). Effectiveness of the dog therapy for patients with dementia-a systematic review. BMC psychiatry, 19(1), 1-7. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6731615/
5Applebaum, J. W., Ellison, C., Struckmeyer, L., Zsembik, B. A., & McDonald, S. E. (2021). The impact of pets on everyday life for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in public health, 9, 652610. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.652610/full
The Insurer
AA Pet Insurance policies are brought to you by the New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated (NZBN 9429042781608, FSP 41189), are administered and managed by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd, (NZBN 9429049378085) and are underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (NZBN 9429042129851, FSP 480747).
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