The Power of Pets

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Interacting with animals increases levels of stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decreases production of stress hormone cortisol

At the Brown Animal Hospital, there used to be a dog that lived there for a few months because his parents lived in a different state. Rango had ACL surgery on both hind legs, but the wounds never healed. The incisions became infected and would constantly bleed. He could barely walk because his legs were so weak. You could tell that he was always in so much pain, but that never stopped him from loving on you. I would always lay with him when I got a break from work. He would rest his head on my lap and just let me pet him. For some reason, whenever I spent time with him, I was always able to relax. All my nerves just flowed out of me with each breath. I think his calmness even in his miserable condition rubs off on me.

Love and Support

Your pet will always be there for you no matter what. Your pet relies on you for food, shelter, water, and to maintain its life in general, so clearly they aren't going anywhere. Till death do you part.

My dog, Pippa, is always waiting at the door for me when I get home every day. I can always count on her to put a smile on my face. Even when I do poorly on a test or had drama with a friend, seeing her trotting to get my attention always improves my mood.

Somehow, Pippa can always tell when I'm upset. When I'm depressed and just reevaluating life, she will scratch on my door to come and and snuggle with me in my bed. I can always count on her to be my shoulder to cry on.

Staying Active

Animals need exercise too. Sitting in the house or in a cage all day isn't going to help much with that, and its also boring. With humans' help keep dogs active my running around with them outside, or taking them on walks.

You whisper "walk" or "go outside" to them, and their ears immediately perk up and their tails whips back and forth.

When I get some free time at work, I usually take one of the more energetic dogs outside to throw a ball or a stuffed animal around. My work out for the day is usually chasing them around the yard. Those dogs never get tired. Unfortunately, I do.

A Good Laugh

(and good stories)

Animals are so heartwarming. Their brains don't function was well as humans, so they are less cautious about everything they do. They are just so much more light-hearted and goofy. They don't cause drama like humans do either. They just eternally are mood boosters. Laughter can relieve tension and anxiety and allow people to feel more relaxed.

There is a cat that lives at Brown that is constantly grumpy. She rarely has a good day, and its only around certain people. We let her roam freely around the clinic during the closed shifts since she is locked in a cage all day long every day. However, every time it is so difficult to get her back in her cage. Just to liven up the mood, I sometimes grab the vacuum cleaner and chase her back into her cage. She gets so angry, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right? (you gotta do whatever you can to get a laugh out of a difficult situation)

Every time anyone comes to our front door or even just walks passed our house, Pippa charges at the door to show them that this is her territory. She rolls up the rug and face slams into the window. Once in a while, kids that are going around the neighborhood to sell something are too scared to even approach the door. Pippa looks like she would rip someone's face off if the door was opened. One day, she slammed into the window so hard that the entire window frame shoved out of the wall. There was a big hole in the wall for the next couple days until we could get it fixed.

Its just the little things that they do that are so funny. Pippa absolutely hates wet grass. She refuses to go pee if it its even remotely wet. Someone in my family has to drag her 90 pound stubborn butt into the grass in order to get her to go. We call it "princess paws." They are treated like royalty; they can only have the best.

A couple years ago, I owned two guinea pigs. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are just about the size of a dog's toys. Their cage was originally in my room. I would have to close my door each day before I left. This didn't work for long because she figured out that jumping onto the handle pushes the door open. After Pippa tried to break into the cage several times, I had to move them to a table in the basement, where Pippa hardly ever goes. Dogs can just be incredibly frustrating sometimes, but for some reason I find it hilarious.

Be Social

Have you ever gone on a walk with a dog and a little girl runs up to you saying "oh my gosh! Can I pet our dog? He's so cute." Happens to me all the time. Animals are just natural conversation starters and instant icebreakers. Whether it be with a friend, significant other, or stranger, animals can almost always make a conversation more enthusiastic.

Being as obsessed with animals as I am, I always have something to say about them. I will once in a while go over to a friends house just to see their dog. I volunteer to trim my friend's dog's nails and give them baths just because I enjoy being around animals.

Do you remember the scene in 101 Dalmatians when Pongo wraps his owner and Perdita's owner in his leash. Their owners ended up getting married! Animals really can help you be more social and meet more people.