May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Millions of people worldwide love their pets - they're part of the family! We enjoy their companionship and going for walks, playing with them, talking, and even singing to them.
For The Love Of Alex helps pets in need of emergency medical care, we also help people. We believe that a pet is essential to its owner's mental and physical well-being. By supporting a sick pet, you are also helping a family stay together.
Research suggests that attachment to pets is good for human health and even helps build a better community.
It's no secret that pets can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise, and improve overall health. For example, people with dogs tend to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease. Playing with a dog has been shown to raise the feel-good brain chemicals oxytocin and dopamine levels, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.
Pets can be beneficial as we grow older. In a survey on healthy aging, adults over 50 reported these top 3 benefits:
Less stress
A better sense of purpose
More social connection
Five ways pets help your mental health.
Pets can reduce work-related stress. Two out of three employees say work stresses them out, and 40% say their job gets in the way of their health. Studies show that pets in the workplace help reduce stress and improve employee satisfaction.
Pets can help increase productivity wherever you work. When a dog joins a virtual meeting, group members rank their teammates higher on trust, team cohesion, and camaraderie.
Pets help manage anxiety. Many people feel anxious or struggle with mental health more than ever. Pets provide companionship and support.
Pets can help you be more active. They give you a reason to get outside, get some fresh air, and get busy, which improves your mood, sleep, and mental health.
Pets provide a sense of togetherness. The bond with a pet helps you not feel alone. When owners see, touch, hear or talk to their companion animals, it brings a sense of goodwill, joy, nurturing, and happiness.
- American Heart Association
Please donate today to help a pet in need of emergency veterinary care that their loving owner cannot afford. Your gift will help a pet, and it will also keep a family together.