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If you want a friend in Washington, get a furry one by HERB WEISS
With an increasing number of adults reporting a decrease in the number of close friends, the old adage, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” might also be applicable outside the Beltway. This companionship can also boost your physical and mental health. Your furry friends’ capacity for unconditional love enables them to share our lives’ highs and lows.
concerned about a pet aging or passing away, 67% reported worrying about their pet’s health conditions and 67% worried about their care when traveling. Among all survey respondents, 72% reported having pets at home — 52% had dogs, 37% had cats, 7% had fish, 4% had birds, and less than 3% had turtles, chickens, horses, snakes, lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters. One in five (18%) of those with pets said one or more of their pets was certified as an emotional support animal. Among all respondents, 44% described themselves as dog people, 15% were cat people, 30% described themselves as both and 10% were neither. Dog (85%) and cat (86%) owners, as well as those who indicated they are owners of emotional support animals (88%) were all more likely to say their pet had a mostly positive impact on their mental health than those with other companion animals (55%). According to a July 2023 Pew Research Center study, we also view our pets are family members as well. Sixty-two percent own pets, including about a third (35%) owning more than one. The study found that 97% of pet owners viewed their pets a furry family member. And most pet owners view their pets as much a part of their family as human member.
The powerful bond of owning a pet
According to the findings of an American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly poll released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets offer mental support to their owners. Among the many mental health benefits of pets, nearly twothirds of pet owners say that their animals offer companionship (65%), are a true friend (65%) and provide unconditional love and support (64%), the survey finds. Eighty-four percent of pet owners say that their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health, similar to the findings of last year’s polling on the same topic. The poll was of 2,200 adults, done by Morning Consult. “It’s easy to overlook the role of pets when we’re talking about mental health,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A, in a March statement announcing the survey results. “But for people who do enjoy the company of animals, they can be a On a personal level… ar old ly, e l y o 5 source of companionship, comfort, love and friendship. I rouM The research findings are right on about the multitude of benMy e lab, t a l tinely encourage adoption of a pet to my patients who struggle o efits of owning a pet. My 5-year old chocolate lab, Molly, keeps choc toes, y with addiction to alcohol, drugs or technology. We’re also startm me on my toes, literally, with multiple daily short walks around e on ... y l m l s a r ing to see more and more research around the role that animals p the block, usually ending with a two-mile walk (almost 8,000 e lit kee can play in recovery from depression and other psychiatric dissteps). She gets me out at night to exercise and my walking is orders,” he says. good for my heart health, maintaining my weight, lowering my “As veterinarians, we witness firsthand the powerful bond beblood pressure and keeping my diabetes in check. It even helps tween people and their animals, and the positive impact pets can to lower my stress levels. have on their emotional well-being,” adds AVMA President Rena Carlson, D.V.M. “From Like many pet owners, Molly is considered a family member in my household, and most offering companionship and unconditional love to reducing stress and anxiety, pets can be certainly my good furry friend. Being 70-years old, I see my social network shrinking, as invaluable sources of comfort and support. These survey results further reinforce the imfriends pass away, retire and relocate to be closer to their families. Yes, like many, I might portance of responsible pet ownership and the critical role pets play in our lives,” she says. be able to count the number of close friends on one hand. But Molly is always there for me, waiting at the door when I return from work or running an errand. Positive impacts of pet ownership Yes, in Washington or outside the Beltway, if you want a friend, get a dog (or even a cat, Sixty-two percent of the survey’s respondents say that pets provide a calming presence bird or hamster). Pets can become protective buffers against physical and mental disorders and also help reduce their stress and anxiety. Thirty-five percent note that their pet encourand life stressors. ages them to be more physically active, too. The findings note that owning a pet adds struc-
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ture to a respondent’s schedule and can even increase social connections with others (19%). While the mental health benefits are widespread, Americans did express some worries about their furry, feathered or scaly companions. Among their top concerns: 76% were
Herb Weiss, LRI -12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who has covered aging, health care and medical issues for over 43 years. To purchase his books, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly and a sequel, compiling weekly published articles, go to herbweiss.com