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A Window into the Benefits of Pet Ownership
A W I N D O W I N T O THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP
Damion Gromer and JD
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by ALANA OWEN
Pets. Those magical little souls who bring such value to our lives in terms of physical, emotional, and social, well-being. It seems that the old saying “man’s best friend” may very well be more than just words.
Doctors have come to accept the fact that there are many aspects to whole health and wellness; beyond just a visit to your doctor followed by some prescribed medications. Rather than writing another article on physical health or medical aspects of being healthy, I chose to discuss the value of pets as part of the concept of total wellness.
Growing up I had a variety of pets; horses, a fox, a raccoon, dogs, cats, and even a monkey who remained in the family for several years until his passing. “Jo-Jo” the monkey resided at my grandmother’s home, which I frequented often. I would read to Jo-Jo and his little fingers would reach out and turn the pages of our books. He brought such joy to my life. I could not wait to get out of school, jump into my grandmother’s car and snuggle with her tiny poodle, while traveling back to her home to entertain Jo-Jo.
The horses I grew up with provided a safe ear to discuss joyful events, sadness, growth, set backs, and fears. I feel fortunate to have had horses while growing up. As I sit here writing, my faithful 15-year-old terrier is by my side. For over fourteen years he has remained willing to
accept my constant presence in his life, going where I want to; whether just to another room, out to the barn, or for a trip in the car.
We have all heard the numerous ways dogs and cats can bring value to aging adults. Some aging adults find themselves alone after years of marriage. Their trusted pet may keep them moving, laughing, and actively participating in life, acting to reduce loneliness and improve social relationships.
My sister sent me some information about the newly formed “HenPower” programs which is an approach to improving the lives of older people, by keeping hens. The idea being, residents of assisted or full care living are responsible for feeding the hens, cleaning up after them, and collecting their eggs. It keeps residents moving, which may foster improvement in memory and depression while also helping to create new relationships and a sense of community.
Other studies have shown animal assisted therapy patients with serious health conditions have reported reduced pain, discomfort, and stress. The findings related to physical health are exceptionally impressive, indicating that pet owners experience a significantly lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack compared to people who do not own pets.
The results of children who own and care for pets are equally impressive, including improved self-esteem and confidence. Positive pet relationships can also result in children developing trusting relationships with other people which may deepen their sense of compassion and empathy. Pets provide children with opportunities to observe nature, respect for other living beings, and are shown to improve responsible behaviors. Researchers are currently looking at the relationships between pets and children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions.
Oklahoma resident Damion Gromer discussed the unexpected entrance of his pooch, “JD” into his life several years back. JD stands for John Doe. Apparently not much was known about JD when Damion adopted him, becoming known as John Doe. JD became a service dog for Damion’s wife, who had numerous health problems including bi-polar disorder. JD was trained to alert when Damion’s wife was experiencing a seizure. Sadly, Damion’s wife took her own life after a series of long-term illnesses. JD became his self-described best friend, enduring homelessness together. Damion said JD helped him through his grief and sadness, and considers JD to be “like my child,” referring to him as his “four-legged son”.
A few states promote inmates working with captured mustangs, later placing the horses in adoptive homes. The program is referred to as “Pairing Prisoners with Horses” and many describe the results as life changing. Studies suggest that only 15% of inmates who participate in the equine program return to prison due to future offenses. In addition, reports suggest less disciplinary issues for those inmates who participate in the Pairing Prisoners program. Other inmate programs include “Pairing Prisoners with Dogs”, to create service animals. One such Oklahoma program is titled “Friends for Folks.” The concept being Oklahoma inmates are given the opportunity to give back to their communities by training a dog from a local shelter. Each dog goes through an eleven-week program, and they are later adopted by local community members. Some of the dogs are selected for further training to become service dogs.
A quick on-line search will reveal numerous programs to assist with obtaining resources for pets. This includes things such as adoption fees, unexpected sickness and medical expenses, reduced spay and neutering clinics, and other associated maintenance costs. I feel mentioning this is important since the expense of a pet can sometimes be prohibitive for families. However, these programs may provide just enough assistance to make pet ownership a possibility.
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Good luck in 2023! I hope health and happiness find you.
