At the end of those six months, the new pet owners were reacting to stress better than they had before, and better than the people who did not have a pet. The other half of the caregivers then adopted a dog. After another six months, all of the caregivers were reacting better to stress. In difficult times, pets seem to calm our bodies as well as soothe our spirits. A group of English researchers concluded that people enjoyed more social interaction, regardless of appearance, if they were accompanied by a dog.
Pets bridge all communication gaps.
As striking as these benefits may be, it must be remembered that pets need caring as much as they care for us. If you re picking out a pet for someone else, and you're not sure about any of these issues, then you might want to talk it over with the new owner first. If you re sure that the new owner would enjoy and be able to care for a pet, but you re not sure which animal to choose, some chapters of the Humane Society will sell a gift certificate for a pet, and then the recipient can choose whichever animal they want. Pets can also be adopted through local pet stores, animal shelters and the classified section of your local newspaper. Inc. All rights reserved.