At every nook and cranny there is at least one person struggling with a mental health disorder, with 1 in 8 people suffering according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Consequently multiple coping mechanisms have arised, from drugs, therapists, to meditation and more. Adding on to this plethora of remedies, another often overlooked technique is pet therapy and spending time with animals. This simple yet wholesome habit has been proven to effectively help those in need, through effects including but not limited to reducing stress levels and developing empathy.

Primarily pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy is when animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits and more, interact with those who have physical or mental ailments. Physiologically speaking, pet therapy prompts the body to release hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin. These hormones are nicknamed “feel good hormones” according to Harvard health, as they boost feelings of happiness and euphoria. Furthermore, spending time with animals can increase social interaction, which aids in higher self-esteem, promoting a sense of belonging and fostering emotional support. In light of this, one’s empathy can also increase when interacting with animals as the body releases empathy related hormones and teaches one about the needs and feelings of others. These factors can help people suffering from a range of conditions including depression, dementia, Asperger’s syndrome, anxiety etc.

Nonetheless, there are physical benefits too of animal-assisted therapy. Due to the release of multiple feel-good hormones, pain levels reduce and so does the resting blood pressure. Adding on to this, due to

the often movement required in animal therapy such as walking and playing, fine motor skills can improve too. Due to the lower stress levels, it can also improve cardiovascular health according to a study published in 2007, in the American Journal of Critical Care.

Simple interactions with animals or attending pet therapy sessions can greatly aide in the process of healing and bettering. Although there are other strategies to deal with these ailments, oftentimes to avoid the usage of chemicals and artificial substances like drugs this is a great alternative.