Mutual Benefits

by Kathryn Helstrom

Daisy, Ann Knight’s miniature poodle, follows her 80-year-old companion everywhere around the house. She keeps Knight active because she loves to go for walks in the neighborhood and in the park. Knight keeps up a regular feeding and grooming routine for Daisy and makes sure she sees the vet when needed. In return, Daisy gives unconditional love. Without knowing it, she also gives Knight structure to her days, entertainment, and opportunities to socialize — a sense of purpose.

That mutual bond helps to improve the mental and physical health for both person and pet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having a pet lowers a person’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It reduces feelings of loneliness and anxiety and results in better cognitive function.

Dogs are particularly beneficial for creating and maintaining connections with other people. Walking your dog in the neighborhood or park offers lots of opportunities to meet people and start conversations about pets. A good way to get to know your neighbors is by exchanging veterinarian information and sharing pet stories. Acquaintances can become true friends, and arranging with friends to petsit takes away the worry of care for your fur baby while you are gone to the hospital or on an out-of-town visit.

Pets live in the moment without worrying about the future or the past. When you play with your dog or cat, it helps you do the same. It is well documented that people feel more relaxed when spending time with their pets. This is especially important for people who tend to spiral into worry.

Pets can speed up recovery after an illness, injury, or surgery. Nearly half of the adults in a study by the University of Michigan said their pets help take their minds off pain. Many hospitals and long-term care centers bring animals to visit with residents to alleviate their physical and emotional symptoms.

Taylor Roepke of the Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) directs the Pets Are Love (PAL) program, which takes therapy animals to places where residents cannot have pets. She said the reaction from the residents is “immediate and profound.” PAL chooses specific animals from the SPCA shelter for training and uses qualified therapy dogs from outside organizations that volunteer their animals. Roepke is always looking for volunteers she can train.

If a senior does not want the responsibility of a pet, volunteering is a great way to interact with dogs and cats without the commitment of being a pet owner. And there is always a need for short-term pet sitting for family or friends.

Choosing a Pet

There are some things to consider when deciding whether to own a pet and what kind. Dogs are excellent for keeping you active and walking. But if you have mobility problems, a cat or bird might be a better choice. For the least amount of maintenance, fish can keep you calm and entertained.

You might think a puppy or kitten would be fun, but they often cause more stress. The exercise and training required of young animals can be a strain or can cause you to fall if they get underfoot. It is wiser to consider adult shelter animals that are already housebroken and simply grateful for a loving owner.

You should also regard the lifespan of the pet. Most dogs and cats will live 10 to 20 years. Who would adopt your beloved pet if you cannot care for it any longer? Conversely, the loss of a pet can deal a serious psychological blow to the owner. Family, friends, and providers should be aware of the grief that can follow.

Benefits of Owning a Cat

Cats make great companions and require relatively minimal care. They are happy staying indoors all the time. Most adult cats need only about 30 minutes of playtime per day, and the owner does not have to be mobile. Laser pointers and kitty fishing poles are easy to manipulate to keep your cat active. Owning two cats is not much more

trouble than one, and they entertain each other and their owner. One study found that cats are particularly good at replacing social engagement for adults who live alone.

For people who are sedentary, cats are a natural choice. Lee Larrison enjoys having her cats, Tigerlily and Truth, lie in her lap. She says that on many days, her cats are the only living things she interacts with. They are easy to care for, and they are attuned to her health issues.

“I wondered why one of my cats would pat my nose or cheek at night sometimes,” Larrison said. She discovered that she had sleep apnea. “My cats knew something was wrong and were waking me up so I’d start breathing again.”

A curled-up cat in your lap is soothing, and studies show that purring can help labored breathing, can help heal infections, and can even heal bones. Cat owners report significantly lower levels of depression than dog owners. When the owner makes short trips, cats can be left alone for a couple of days. Just provide plenty of food and water and a clean litter box, and they are fine.

Requiring even less maintenance, birds are a great choice. Their lovely sounds lift the spirit, and some breeds can be taught to whistle or talk. Parakeets, canaries, and finches are all excellent companions. Birds have personalities, are very sociable, and should be kept in pairs.

Providing for a Pet

Sometimes seniors put their pet’s needs above their own or cannot get to the store for supplies. If the pet has health or behavior problems, the owner might be at a loss for what to do. If you know a senior who is having difficulty affording veterinary care, contact the local animal shelter or a veterinary clinic. If the pet owner needs help with pet food, the local food bank usually has supplies.

Owning a pet is healthy for most people if you choose the right one. Visit a nearby shelter or talk to the SPCA about adopting. The affection, purpose, and unconditional love that a pet provides often make life worth living for seniors who are alone or suffering.