Their dogs provided empathy, physical contact, and attentiveness. But the women also indicated that with the dog, no social pretenses were necessary, and no one was judging her ability to bear up. I shared Allen s findings with Melinda. It seemed that, at the moment, her mother was finding it less stressful to be comforted by her pets than by family. Just about anyone who has owned and loved a companion animal knows that their presence can provide immense comfort during times of disappointment or grief.
Pets provide much more than comfort.
The physiological, social, and psychological benefits of pet ownership have been amply documented and are the subject of ongoing research at medical and veterinary schools around the world. Results have been published in journals such as the Harvard Health Letter, Science, American Journal of Cardiology, Public Health Reports, Mental Hygiene, Gerontologist, Anthrozoos. For people with a limited human support system, these attributes are particularly important. A pet needs care, and this allows people to use their abilities and to feel needed and useful. Pets counter depression and loneliness, and can serve as a social bridge to other people.