Pets & Their Role in Combating Loneliness
Greetings Stewards,
Recently, our work at PAHS has begun to more intentionally explore loneliness and the American loneliness epidemic–both in relation to COVID-19 and as an issue that long preceded the pandemic. But how do we combat this loneliness? Pets are one way.
This article from Inverse touches on the role of pets and how they may improve one’s mental health and feelings of loneliness. Interacting with pets benefits humans in many ways, including by lowering “stress and blood pressure [which] are associated with increased health span.” Dogs specifically increase health span through getting their owners to exercise more since dogs require walking. And it turns out that walking our dogs is more than just a source of exercise–it also lowers stress levels and provides opportunity for social connection:
“If you take your dog for a walk in the neighborhood and you meet a complete stranger, you have something to talk about,” Gee tells Inverse. The dog becomes what Gee calls a “social lubricant” who lowers the barrier to conversation. “It allows us to have these opportunities to communicate with other human beings, which also decreases our loneliness.”
The bonds we form with pets also improve our wellbeing. Nancy Gee, director and psychiatry professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Center for Human-Animal Interaction, says “that people need attachments or bonds ‘with other living beings.’” She goes on to describe the four attachment criteria and how these criteria apply not only to pets but also to other humans.
Read the rest of the article to find out which unlikely animal is the most suitable for loneliness. Join us over on Circle to share pictures of your pets! We would love to see your fluffy friends!
Lastly, our September forum is next week! Registration is still open and we would love for you to join us! September’s guest facilitator is Kritstine Kopperud, Writer and End-of-Life Care Advocate. We hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Asheanna