Benefits of pet ownership

If you’ve considered getting a pet, you might get more than you bargained for. Besides having a little friend to meet you at the door and boost your spirits, you might also boost your level of health.

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine has done research that shows interacting with an animal can reduce anxiety.

The measurable physical changes are most convincing. Even watching fish in a tank can reduce the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body. If fish in a tank can do that, imagine the amount of stress relief from petting a kitten.

There also are physical and social factors with pet ownership. When you play toss with a dog or pull a string for a cat to chase, you’re getting exercise. When you walk a dog, you’re likely to come in contact with others who are walking their own dogs or someone who wants to pet yours.

Then there’s the laughter — little creatures can be funny. Laughter releases endorphins, which is a pain reliever, and boosts the immune system.

Can’t have a pet where you live? Volunteer at the local humane society and be a dog walker or kitten socializer. Besides helping the animals increase their chances of being adopted, you’ll be doing yourself some good, too.