Need therapy? Try a pet (Getty
Images)The guy who leaves his dog's poop outside of my house every morning
notwithstanding, having a pet may actually help you become a better person,
according to new research published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Science.
While more than 20 years of science has looked at the health benefits humans reap from having a pet, including lowering blood pressure and anxiety and preventing allergies in kids, until now, not much research has been done on the impact animals have on their owners' character. This recent work found that caring for a pet increased empathy, leadership, and social engagement. "As the field of how human and animal health interact becomes more rigorous, people are starting to discover how important pets are in our lives," author Megan K. Mueller, who is a developmental psychologist and a professor at the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, tells Yahoo Shine.
While more than 20 years of science has looked at the health benefits humans reap from having a pet, including lowering blood pressure and anxiety and preventing allergies in kids, until now, not much research has been done on the impact animals have on their owners' character. This recent work found that caring for a pet increased empathy, leadership, and social engagement. "As the field of how human and animal health interact becomes more rigorous, people are starting to discover how important pets are in our lives," author Megan K. Mueller, who is a developmental psychologist and a professor at the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, tells Yahoo Shine.
Mueller has worked with Tufts Paws for
People – a program that brings therapy animals (including her own
black lab, Jett) into nursing homes, afterschool reading classes, hospitals,
and other settings where they can provide a little companionship and affection
– and recently helped set up a campus event where students were invited to de-stress
during final exams with four therapy dogs. The organizers expected
30 kids, and were surprised when 200 showed up. "The students told us how
much they missed their pets and how much they helped them unwind," says
Mueller, who adds that although there has been a lot of research showing the
benefits of animals for children in a therapeutic environment, she wanted to
investigate the kind of good stuff that happens between people and their pets
in everyday life.
The study looked at data collected
from more than 500 adults aged 18 to 26 and found that those who cared for pets
were likely to help their friends and families and be active in their
communities. It also found that those who said they had a strong attachment to
their pets as teens showed more confidence and empathy in general. "[The]
findings suggest that individuals who are highly involved in caring for an
animal or participating in an animal-focused activity are also contributing
more broadly to their families, communities, and schools, an important aspect
of becoming an active and engaged member of the community."
Mueller stresses that the findings
reveal a correlation (not a cause), and further investigation still needs to be
done. "We have to tease out what the processes and mechanisms are. For
instance, do people want to have pets because they enjoy taking care of
others?" The work also suggests that the social skills that humans develop
through being with animals may translate to how they interact with other
people.
About 68 percent of American
families include at least one animal, and Mueller points out that simply having
an animal around does not guarantee a psychological or emotional bonus. And
since, in some households, pets are neglected, mistreated, or worse, whether or
not people actively nurture their pets makes all the difference. If parents are
considering getting a family pet, it makes sense to ensure that children
participate in their care, says Mueller. "It's not just about the presence
of the animals; it's about the quality and nature of that relationship."
Reprinted from Yahoo
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