According to the American Heart Association:
- Improved Health Status of Heart Patients
Dogs ease anxiety and improve the health status of hospitalized heart failure patients.
- Anxiety Decreases
Researchers found that anxiety scores dropped 24 percent for participants who received a visit from the volunteer-dog team. Scores for the human volunteer-only group dropped 10 percent and the at-rest group’s score did not change.
- Decreased Stress
Simply having a pet in the room, decreases the stress response. Levels of epinephrine, a hormone the body makes when under stress, dropped about 17 percent in patients visited by a person and a dog, and 2 percent in those visited just by a person. But levels rose about 7 percent in the unvisited group.
- Heart Pressure Decreases
Heart pressure dropped 10 percent after the visit by the volunteer and dog. It increased 3 percent for those visited by a human volunteer and 5 percent for those who got no visit. Lung pressure declined 5 percent for those visited by a dog and a volunteer. It rose in the other two groups.
- Benefits Blood Pressure
People with a dog or cat suffered only half the blood pressure increase of those without.
Be sure to return the favor by protecting the health of your furry family members with the gift of pet insurance from Union Plus Pet Insurance.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNION PLUS PET INSURANCE PROGRAM
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Disclaimer
Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company.
Summary
It’s no secret that animals and humans share a special bond. It’s also well known that being around pets can positively impact your health in measurable ways. In fact, there are numerous studies on the health benefits associated with being around animals. Here are just a few health-related reasons to spend more time with your pets.
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