Benefits of Pet Ownership
"I think I could turn and live with the animals. They are so placid and self-contained," writes American poet Walt Whitman (Schellenberg 1). Yes, pets have been part of human culture throughout history, and in American households, they are more common than children. It is reported that 58% of U.S. households have at least one pet, whereas only 35% have children (Whitaker; Witherell 76). Owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet food, accessories, and veterinary care, but apparently pets give back, too (Schellenberg 1). Medical studies show that pet companionship offers concrete health benefits (Simross 14). While only in the past few decades have scientists become interested in the benefits of pets on human health (Schellenberg 2), "as far back as Plato and Socrates, there were admonishments for people to spend time with animals. . .for their health" (Simross 14). "Researchers into the impact of animals on our health points to a clear relationship between the presence of pets and significantly better physical and emotional well-being" (Witherell 76). Pet owners reported fewer headaches, fewer
Witherall, Mary. "Rover, Heal!" American Health. Sept. 1995: 76-77. True, there exists a "dark underbelly" of pet ownership including problems arising from allergies, bites, and infections (Schellenberg 3). Of allergy patients, 25% are sensitive to dogs or cats. Animal bites account for 1% of all hospital emergency room visits. Finally, infectious diseases can be spread when a bite deposits organisms from the animal's mouth into a wound. The resulting infection ranges from annoying to potentially deadly (Schellenberg 3).Consequently, pets may not be for everyone. Thus, successfully having a pet requires balancing the benefits and risks of sharing one's life with an animal (Schellenberg 3). "Being with animals. . .is just good for our hearts and souls. We . . .know that animals can lower blood pressure and help us live longer. But there is a whole other spiritual level there," writes Susan McElroy, author of Animals as Teachers and Healers (Simross 15). The psychological benefits include reduced mental distress, a sense of security, lower rates of depression, and higher morale (Schellenberg 2). Serving as an effective stre
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Approximate Word count = 775
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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