The Benefits of Animals on Human Health

Editor’s Note: Author Alissa Walker is a sophomore at Mount Aloysius College and is a middle-level education major with a concentration in history. She is from Williamsburg and graduated from Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School in 2022. At the Mount, she enjoys giving tours as a student ambassador and volunteering with clubs and organizations on campus.

She submitted this essay to the Herald, which is proud to publish it.

The health benefits from animals to humans can be felt throughout all ages, and with our increasing age of population, these benefits can provide much needed emotional and physical support to residents of The Village and Homewood, right here in the Cove.

Animals and pets have been shown to improve the lives and health of their owners, this has been especially proven since COVID-19. Studies conducted in Australia have shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic, alone, households that had a pet had an 80 percent increase in their mental health.

Taking a look at the cardiovascular system, according to an article by the Frontiers of Veterinary Service, there is an association between owning a cat and a lowered risk of Cardiovascular disease.

Another article by Current Gerontology and Geriatrics, patients with ADHD have shown decreased anxiety and depression when participating in canine therapy. Even fish have been used in studies to indicate that taking care of a pet can lower blood pressure in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Finally, an article by the Frontiers in Aging Science found that pet ownership is also beneficial to older adults with increased relief from isolation, movement, and mental cognition. This can be especially beneficial with the two retirement facilities in Martinsburg, Homewood and The Village at Morrisons Cove.

Whether it be owning an animal, volunteering at an animal shelter, or simply visiting with animals results have all shown similar to those discussed previously stated.

The aging population in the Martinsburg area could benefit from a partnership with a Humane Society to have pet visitors. Animals are not a cure for the above-listed conditions, but they have been shown to reduce the effects of the physical and mental tolls to aging bodies, and that’s good news for those individuals as well as the families and friends who want the best for them.