“Pet Therapy”
I’ve had a horrible day…what more could possibly go wrong? The estimates on damage from the hailstorm are starting to be determined; the windows still haven’t been repaired, and to top it off I’m starving. Worries about the unknown future are flying through my head. Things like is my Cockatiel Angel or Sun Conure Sunshine going to fly out the window if they escape from their cages. Is my 45-gallon saltwater tank going to stay warm enough? But my biggest concern is a cat going to invade my home and kill my beloved bunnies Ash and Dusty. I should be more focused on that mid-term essay which is due in a few days, but my mind is on my babies. I understand that to some these critters would have been considered pets; but for my mom and myself they are family.
I’ve just gotten home from a difficult college course. I no more than shut my car door and head towards my parent’s front door when I hear the calls from the birds. “Moms here, Mom’s here” is probably what they’re saying to rejoice in my arrival home. Within seconds after I open the door I’m greeted not by my mother, but my bunny Ash. You can just tell she’s happy; she runs over not hops to me and starts doing loops around my legs. Then she’ll stop if not picked up and will stand on her hind legs and just stare with begging eyes. “Please mom, pick me up” So I did what any animal lover would do, I put down my backpack and up into my arms she came. By now my mother has come to greet my arrival with the typical conversation all parents will do with their children. We plop down on the family room recliners to talk about our day. As I’m sitting there holding Ash in my arms, she begins to give me kisses…well I’m hooked because all the worries I had are melting away.
Ahh, the joys of pets! There is no doubt that pets serve us as companions, friends and protectors. They give a great deal to us and ask little in return — just the love of a caring master who will shelter and protect them, just as we do our children. If you’re a pet lover like myself, you may in fact treat your pets like children. But maybe the benefits of pets go beyond this emotional bond. A growing amount of evidence suggests that those who keep pets are likely to benefit from a variety of improvements in their health. Thus the relationship between pets and humans appears to be symbiotic.
·Companionship and pleasurable activity
·Facilitate exercise, play, and laughter
·Give something to care for and a source of consistency
·Allow feeling of security
·Are a comfort to touch and a pleasure to watch thus lessen ones anxiety
·Provide a link with reality to enhance emotional stability
·Become a receptive partner in a relationship of mutual trust that promotes self awareness
·Provide non-judgmental acceptance and love
·They are an outlet for one’s ancient primate grooming urges
ie: Dusty: “mom you groom me, I’ll groom you”
·We feel a sense of improved well being
www.therapydogs.com
