Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. 
For most of us, but especially for our elderly and our veterans, a dog is sometimes a lifeline. Many soldiers return home with battle scars that are both seen and unseen. Dogs provide us with companionship, unconditional love, emotional support, helping to ease stress, depression, loneliness and anxiety. For most, the bonds made are immediate and forever, helping not only the humans but also the animals. Sometimes these animals need us as much, if not more, than we need them. It’s a beautiful and magnificent relationship!
Dogs help to increase mental well-being, enhance emotional health, ease loneliness, improve relationships, overcome trauma, encourage physical exercise, raise self-esteem, boost your confidence and help you to gain a new perspective on life and life experiences. Dogs also help to prevent social isolation because having a dog leads to more interaction with people. Think about it, when you’re out walking your dog, you tend to talk to people more than when you’re alone. Dogs “open a door” to conversation which, in this day and age, is welcome for all of us! It’s been proven that dog owners are happier and healthier because people/dog interactions result in an increase in dopamine levels in the brain of BOTH humans and dogs!
Lance, a Vietnam Veteran, said, “Some people think that a dog is just a dog. That may be true for those people, but not for me. I used to sit home alone and just let life pass me by. But now, having my dog, Hero, I have a reason to get up. Even if it’s just feeding him, or taking him for walks, he has truly motivated me to live again.” Alan, a Gulf War Veteran, said, “Bongo is more than just a friend. He’s my battle buddy. He’s my left hand. We’re connected by a leash, but it’s really our heartline and my lifeline. He’s more tuned into me and how I’m feeling than I am, and he knows more about me than I do sometimes. He lets me know what’s going on around me and he alerts me when my body is having health issues so I can take care of myself before there are severe consequences.”
There are many organizations that will help to match veterans with a companion dog. Soldier’s Best Friend is based in Arizona (soldiersbestfriend.org) but there are also organizations like Pets for Vets (petsforvets.com), too, that help with placement.
And let’s not forget about our furry felines. Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. Plus, cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Cats even reduce our risk of heart disease and heart attacks along with helping to reduce high blood pressure. Cats also help to boost immunity as exposure to pet dander and fur in the house results in increased resistance to allergens, decreasing the risk for allergies and asthma. Just like dogs, they are very perceptive to our emotions and illness. If I have had a bad day, I come home and sit on the couch, and my cat will jump right up in my lap. There is something very relaxing about sitting there, petting them, unwinding and even telling them about my day.
Not only does having a pet help you, but it also helps them. You’ve given them a home and they provide you many health benefits and, most importantly, unconditional love. They don’t talk back, they don’t judge us, and they love us more than they love themselves!
If you’re looking for your new furever friend, there’s a lot of great animals at Yavapai Humane Society just waiting for their furever home! Check out yavapaihumane.org for all the available animals and then make an appointment to come meet them. It’ll do your heart and mind good! QCBN
By Loree Walden
Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.
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