The Benefits of Pet Ownership
Article By: Ariel Stern, LPC
Like a maneater, I have a cat who only comes out at night. She has leaky anal glands and refuses to groom herself. My other cat, while far more social, is prone to bouts of diarrhea and will wake us up at 5:00am by kneading our foreheads. My sister has a dog who, within the span of 30 days, ate a cheesecake, a quiche, and a whole loaf of pumpkin bread when no one was looking. My parents have a 13-year-old golden retriever who smells like turkey and rotting fish. Sometimes he gets night terrors and sleepwalks into bedposts. Have I sold you on the joys of pet ownership yet? Bear with me.
While having a four-legged (or gilled, scaled, or winged) friend can mean you need to upgrade your vacuum and carpet cleaner, it can also mean a wealth of mental and physical benefits that boyfriend pillows just can’t supply.
Owning a dog can increase your activity level. Regardless of whether you have a pomeranian or a standard poodle, dogs need at least 3 walks a day, and more if they have poor bladder control or recently got into a batch of fertilizer. That means that YOU get at least three walks a day. Sun, rain, mist, or meatballs, you’re getting out there and moving your body.
Dogs can increase your social circle. (I say this longing for a world where we can interact casually, without feeling shame over a public sneeze). Going for a casual walk or to the dog park can open-up opportunities for connection...or people-watching if you’re feeling misanthropic.
Cat, Chinchilla, or Conch - your pet will rely on you. They are excited to see you when you come home from work. They don’t care if you smell like sauteed onions when you get back from the gym. They listen without judging, and are entirely unconcerned with yesterday.
There are countless scientific studies that show how pet-ownership can lower blood-pressure, cholesterol, and feelings of loneliness. And while prescription meds and dating apps can help with those as well, there’s nothing quite like the joy of realizing that instead of pulling out the mop when you’ve splattered tomato sauce everywhere, you can simply whistle your furry friend over for concierge clean-up.
Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd Therapist
Ariel Stern is a Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd therapist supporting couples, young parents, women experiencing postpartum depression, and people struggling with addiction and substance abuse as well as general anxiety, depression and trauma. Additionally, Ariel provides career counseling to those struggling with professional identity, job transition and/or new graduates starting their careers.