Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship.
Animals can serve as a source of comfort and support. Therapy dogs are especially good at this. They’re sometimes brought into hospitals or nursing homes to help reduce patients’ stress and anxiety.
Dogs may also aid in the classroom. One study found that dogs can help children with ADHD focus their attention.
Kids who read to the real animals showed better social skills and more sharing, cooperation, and volunteering. They also had fewer behavioral problems.
A study found that children with autism spectrum disorder were calmer while playing with guinea pigs in the classroom.
A recent study showed that caring for fish helped teens with diabetes better manage their disease.
Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness and boost your mood.
