How can having a pet help someone who has a mental illness?

People with serious mental illness have an extra burden, making everyday tasks more challenging. In an interesting study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Drs. Zimolag and Krupa from Queen’s University in Ontario reported on the impact of pet ownership among adults with serious mental illness. The most common reasons cited for not owning a pet were cost, living in a place that didn’t permit pets, or not having room for a pet. In their sample, pet owners were more socially integrated in the community and participated in more clinically meaningful activities compared with non-pet owners. One in five pet owners was employed compared with less than one in 10 non-pet owners.

Over half of the participants in this study listed the same reasons for having a pet that most people cite: companionship, stress relief, social support, sense of purpose, helping to establish a routine, and exercise. Interestingly, three out of every five people reported having a pet because it improved their mental health!

So remember, many people find pets to be therapeutic, including those with serious mental illness.

Pet therapy is used in many hospital and community settings to relieve stress and provide comfort. They offer unconditional support. While there are studies being done to measure the effect pets have in the clinical setting, anyone who has ever had a pet understands how helpful they can be in relieving stress and bringing joy into our lives.

Pet therapy website: http://www.holistic-online.com/stress/stress_pet-therapy.htm