Pawsitive influence: The healing power of pets as emotional support

Ever notice how your pet knows when you’re feeling down? Or how a cozy evening spent snuggling your pet can lift your spirits? This May, as Mental Health Month kicks off, we’re diving into a deeper look at how our furry friends are good for our mental health.

Three ways pets support our mental health

Mood Improvement and companionship

During the pandemic, we learned a lot about pets' role as companions. While we were isolated at home, many of us enjoyed visiting with one another’s pets during online meetings and virtual school. Those positive feelings even showed up in research—with dog owners reporting a lower depression score and a higher social support score during the pandemic.

Dr. Earl King, a pulmonologist with Sentara Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialists, made national news recently when he prescribed a cat for his patient Robin Sipe. Having lost her beloved cat a few months earlier, Sipe shared she’d been feeling sad and depressed. King recommended that she consider getting another cat and wrote two follow-up care instructions in her after-visit summary: “Flu shot and get a cat!”

"In moments of despair, a new furry companion might just be the perfect prescription," says King. He had read several studies showing pets can improve a person’s mental health and help older adults cope with loneliness.

Sipe’s story is an excellent example of Americans’ deep affection for their pets. Her “prescription for a pet cat” spread quickly and gained attention on platforms like the Today Show and People magazine.

Comfort in physical touch and motivation

Another way pets improve mental health is through the simplicity of physical touch. Pets as companions can provide judgment-free closeness during hard times. Research suggests that playing with a pet can improve serotonin and dopamine levels, promoting happiness and soothing our minds. This natural release of chemicals plays a significant role in improving mental well-being through establishing pathways to better emotional regulation.

As much as our cats and dogs (and rabbits and lizards and more!) love to be given attention, it’s good for us humans, too. Cats even purr at a range known to be medically therapeutic for human illnesses. Studies suggest that taking moments to relax with a pet can aid in managing emotions in a healthier way. Whether it's a cat, dog or another pet, our pets can encourage us to pause, breathe and approach life with a healthier mindset.

From taking a few minutes to spend time cuddling to going outside and walking them, pets also temporarily distract from the day-to-day stressors and can motivate their owners to be active. As any human who has a dog knows, it’s hard to say no when they’re excited about a walk or a game of fetch. These temporary light moments in a difficult day benefit our mental health.

Routine

Though it may not feel like it at 6 a.m. when our furry bestie is asking for breakfast, an amazing way that pets can help us improve our mental well-being is the routine they bring to our lives. For many, caring for someone or something else offers a routine that does not always come naturally. Caring for another living being gives us something else to focus on and a reason to move forward even if we’re not feeling our best.

Maisie Mathews, the bereavement services coordinator at Sentara RMH Behavioral Health, provides services to patients who are processing grief. She says that during life interruptions that can cause grief, “pets provide predictability in daily routine, companionship and unconditional love and support, which are helpful and important factors in grief work.”

Caring for our pets creates a natural rhythm in our daily lives. We may not be willing to leave the bed at a difficult moment, but if our dog or cat is waiting by its food bowl, we will be more motivated to get our bodies moving.

Pet ownership is a big commitment with amazing benefits. Thanks to the unique bond between humans and their pets, these lovable creatures offer essential support to our mental well-being simply by being there for us.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Let Mental Health Awareness Month be your reminder to make your emotional health a priority. Make an appointment with a healthcare provider to take the first step towards improving your mental health. You can also learn more about Sentara Behavioral Health services in your community.