Skip to content

The positive power of paws on one's mental health

Animals can have a profound effect on one's mental health, local event hears
20190914 dogs ts 1
PAWS For Health: The Benefits of Companion Animals to Mental Well-Being was held at the Guelph Public Library on Saturday. Tony Saxon/GuelphToday

Animals can play a huge role in one's mental health was the main message delivered at a Suicide Prevention Awareness Month event on Saturday.

PAWS For Mental Health: The Benefits of Companion Animals took place at the main Guelph Public Library.

"The bond between humans and companion animals is a mutually beneficial dynamic relationship," said Peggy Pritchard. "Companion animals are very, very important to many, many people."

Pritchard has helped run the St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program for several years.

They have a number of certified therapy dogs that visit people in hospitals, hospice and the University of Guelph during stressful exam time, a program that is in the process of expanding to a weekly program.

Pritchard showed statistics that say that it is estimated that 65 per cent of households in Canada have a dog or cat.

"It's very clear, to many people, that companion animals are very important in our lives. This is something we've known intuitively for many decades, many generations."

Since the 1970s data and studies have taken place showing the benefits to students on post-secondary institutions.

Other data shows the benefits to older adults.

"Published information in the United States that said a survey of pet owners showed that 98 per cent of pet owners survived considered their pet to be a member of the family. That shows us how important it is for those owners," Pritchard said.

She said another survey showed 74 per cent of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership.

Benefits include physical, cognitive and psycho-social: exercise, companionship, unconditional love and affection.

"Clearly, companion animals benefit us as individuals, but we also have benefits when we share our animals with other people," Pritchard said.

On a deeper level, they can help keep people from harming themselves.

Saturday's event was organized by the Suicide Prevention Council of Guelph-Dufferin as part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

The council's Heather Glennister said she has seen first hand the power that a pet can have in keeping someone alive.

"They save people's lives," Glennister said. "We have people who are considering suicide but they don't, because they wonder who will take care of their pet that they love so much."

Four therapy dogs, which are completely different than service dogs, were brought in as part of Saturday's event.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Tony Saxon

About the Author: Tony Saxon

Tony Saxon has had a rich and varied 30 year career as a journalist, an award winning correspondent, columnist, reporter, feature writer and photographer.
Read more