A Walk in the Park | Owning a pet has healthy benefits

Lately, I spent some time browsing Web sites that discuss the benefits of having a pet. Several sites reference studies that say spending time with a furry companion can promote better health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and heart disease, and even help to prevent depression and other illnesses. Pet owners tend to have increased physical activity and they also make fewer doctor visits, resulting in lower medical costs.

Due to these advantages, some facilities suchas nursing homes are embracing the idea and now include “pet therapy” for their residents.

An article included on The New York Times Web site reported on one such nursing home. It stated that the “pet therapy” program there has been a big hit for both residents and employees. The presence of pets makes the place feel “homier and livelier.” And, in addition to the physical benefits, the patients are happier and more productive.

Along that train of thought, I am including apoem - author unknown - that sums up some of the emotional perks of having a good pet.

You can’t buy loyalty, they say, I bought it though, the other day;

You can’t buy friendship, tried and true; well just the same, I bought that too.

I made my bid, and on the spot, bought love and faith and a whole job lot,

Of happiness, so all in all, the purchase price was pretty small.

I bought a single trusting heart that gave devotion from the start.

If you think these things are not for sale, buy a brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.

We can also learn plenty from out pets. Caring for a pet can help a child learn responsibility, of course, but there are other lessonsto be learned by owners of all ages. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul listed “Things We Can Learn from our Dog.” I am passing along some of my favorites.

1. When loved ones come home, always run to meet them.

2. Let others know when they have invaded your territory.

3. Run, romp and play daily.

4. Be loyal

5. If you what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

6. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

9. When someone is having a bad day, be silent and sit close.

I also liked what another Web site, Baxterbo. com, had to say. The author thought that humans could learn even more from dogs, like how to stop worrying what others think and to feel better about ourselves.

This message was posted on that site: “When was the last time you saw a dog worrying about what another dog thinks about him? Your dog knows exactly who he or she is and isn’t concerned with pretending to be something else. And even though baxterboo.com dog clothes are super-cute, your dog spends much of life completely naked, and doesn’t give a darn. How’s that for confidence?”

I am fortunate to have Bo, my Labrador retrieverthat does an outstanding job of providing all the benefits listed above. Of course, I think he is the best, but even better is the fact that I can tell the feeling is mutual.

We all like to know we are loved and special and that someone is glad to see us. Sometimes that “someone” is a furry pet who thinks we hung the moon, and to top it off, expects nothing in return. How could that do anything for us but make us happier and healthier?

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by e-mail at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 06/30/2010