Animals have been a part of our lives since the beginning of human history. They are compassionate, loyal and, as it turns out, provide plenty of benefits to human health.

Some animals are used in occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical rehabilitation. Assistance dogs, for example, are trained to help people with disabilities. They also provide companionship and lower stress, which makes disabled people feel better.

By understanding the benefits of animals to human health, we can better appreciate the importance of our four-legged friends in our lives.

Let’s get into it!

1) Boost our immunity

A National Institutes of Health study says that children who grow up around dogs are less likely to develop asthma and allergies in the future. It turns out that exposure to the bacteria that dogs carry can help our immune system learn to distinguish between harmful and harmless stimuli.

Pets can also help us fend off infections. Studies have shown that having a pet can reduce the risk of getting sick. Even stroking a dog or cat can increase the production of antibodies that help us fight off infection.

2) Make it easier to recover from surgery

Did you know that having a furry friend by your side can speed up your recovery after surgery? According to a PLOS ONE study by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, patients who interacted with therapy dogs during their recovery experienced lower levels of stress and pain than those who did not have a furry companion.

Therapy dogs are specially trained to give comfort and support to people undergoing medical treatment or recovering from surgery. Their calming presence helps patients relax and reduce anxiety, speeding up healing.

Some hospitals have even started implementing animal-assisted therapy programs as a complementary treatment option for patients recovering from surgery.

Overall, the benefits of having a therapy dog by your side during recovery are clear. If you or your loved one is scheduled for surgery, consider requesting a visit from a therapy dog to help you in the healing process.

3) Ease anxiety and stress

It's no secret that spending time with animals can make us feel happier, but did you know that they can also help people manage stress?

A study conducted by Washington State University found that petting a dog for a few minutes lowers cortisol, a stress hormone. This means having a furry friend around can help us feel calmer and more relaxed, even during high-pressure situations.

Outdoor activities like running in the park or just walking reduce anxiety. And most people, unfortunately, wouldn’t spend so much time outside if it weren’t for their pets. Nuwber says that dog owners, for instance, have to be more athletic and spend more time outside playing with their pups. Dogs are generally less stressed when they leave their home territory, which makes them better suited for nature activities.

4) Improve our cardiovascular health

According to an American Heart Association Journal study, pet owners had significantly lower blood pressure and a decreased risk for heart disease.

The study found that pet owners had lower levels of triglycerides, which are associated with an increased risk for heart disease.

In addition to the physical benefits, pets provide emotional support that can further improve cardiovascular health. The study found that pet owners had a higher level of social support, which is linked to better heart health outcomes.

5) Improve our cognitive function

If you're looking for a way to give your brain a boost, animals are the answer. Research reveals that spending time with animals can improve our cognitive function.

Seniors who spent time with dogs showed significant improvement in cognitive function, including memory and attention span. Children with ADHD showed improved focus and attention after spending time with a therapy dog.

So why do animals have this effect on our brains? It could be because spending time with them releases feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which can improve mood and cognitive function. In addition, caring for an animal provides a sense of purpose and responsibility, boosting brain function.

6) Detect diseases

Animals have the remarkable ability to detect certain diseases. For example, dogs can identify the presence of cancer cells through their sense of smell. In fact, in some cases, they have detected cancer cells earlier than medical tests. Researchers are currently studying the possibility of using dogs in the early detection of lung cancer.

Dogs aren't the only animals with this unique ability. Researchers have also discovered that some animals, such as rats, can detect tuberculosis by smelling a person's breath. This could be a game-changer in the fight against this disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

In addition to cancer and tuberculosis, animals have been known to detect other diseases as well. For example, some dogs are trained to detect low blood sugar levels in diabetic people. This helps alert their owners to take the necessary precautions to avoid a diabetic episode.

7) Help us sleep better

Research has shown that pets have a positive impact on sleep quality. For example, one study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that 41% of participants reported that their pets helped them sleep better.

There are a few reasons why animals can improve our sleep. For one, the presence of a pet gives us a sense of comfort, helping reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, pets have a calming effect that helps us relax and easily fall asleep.

Of course, there are some caveats to keep in mind. First, ensuring your pet isn't disturbing your sleep by jumping on the bed or making noise throughout the night is important. Follow proper hygiene practices to prevent any negative health consequences from sleeping on the same bed with a pet.

8) Help us feel less pain

It may seem surprising, but animals can help reduce our pain perception. According to a recent study published in a PLOS ONE Journal, therapy dogs significantly reduced pain and anxiety levels in patients undergoing medical procedures.

The study found that patients who interacted with therapy dogs had lower pain scores and were more relaxed than those who did not.

But how exactly do animals help reduce pain? One theory is that interacting with animals releases endorphins in the brain, natural painkillers. Additionally, animals provide distraction and companionship, helping us focus on something other than our pain.

9) Help lower our blood pressure

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that pet owners had lower blood pressure and were less likely to develop hypertension than those who did not own pets. Another study by the University of Murcia in Spain found that interacting with horses decreased participants' blood pressure.

This is likely due to animals' calming effects on our bodies. When interacting with them, our bodies release oxytocin, a relaxation and stress-reduction hormone. Additionally, animals help distract us from stressful thoughts and activities, contributing to lower blood pressure.

Final thoughts

It is clear that our four-legged friends provide numerous benefits to our health, both physical and mental. Whether it's boosting our immune system, improving our cardiovascular health, or reducing our blood pressure levels, animals play an important role in our overall well-being.

Whether it's through pet ownership, volunteering at a local animal shelter, or simply spending time with animals in nature, we can all benefit from the positive influence they have on our health and happiness.