Why We Have Pets

South Bay Psychologist & Pet Lover Discusses…

“Why We Have Pets”

By Guest Correspondent: Elaine Lipkin, MFT

According to a recent survey, over 60% of American households currently own a pet. In 2007, it’s estimated that $40.8 billion will be spent on pets in the U.S.

We pamper our pets. We spoil them. We buy them presents for birthdays and holidays. There are hotels for pets, exercise classes for pets, fashionable clothes for pets, even gourmet food stores for pets.

So, why DO we lavish so much attention on our pets? Why do we talk to them like they’re our children? Why are pets such a big part of our lives? The answer is simple…

Because for pet owners like myself, we can’t imagine life without one.

Pets give us unconditional love–without being asked. They are non-judgmental. They appreciate everything you do for them. They appeal to our nurturing sides. They are our constant companions. They are members of our family.

There is research in abundance about the health benefits of having pets. They can help reduce everyday stress, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, decrease depression, increase opportunities for exercise and socialization and improve emotional well being.

Pets can even lower health costs. It has been shown that people with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions.

The bond a human makes with a pet can help maintain a purpose in life. Having a pet has been shown to increase longevity in the elderly, raise heart attack survival rates, and promote faster recovery for cancer patients.

A pet can help you cope with a life crisis, bring you comfort in times of grief. Pets are objective listeners. They just seem to know when we’re feeling sad. (The day my mother died, my dog, Shadow stayed by my side constantly.)

Pets help teach kids responsibility, empathy, kindness, patience as well as learning to care for a living thing other than themselves.

When a family pet dies, a child can have the opportunity of learning how to deal with loss.

But I don’t really have to explain any of this to pet owners. They already know the advantages, both tangible and intangible, of having a pet—and couldn’t imagine life without one.

END

Elaine R. Lipkin, MFT is a licensed Psychotherapist who has been in Private Practice in the South Bay for 20 years, and in the Mental Health field since 1975.

In her work, she deals with many loss issues, including Infertility and Pet Loss. Both are areas where she has had personal experience as well as professional training.

She and her family have two dogs, Bailey and Sam. Elaine can be reached at 310-798-0367 or

elipkinmft(at)verizon(dot)net.

(Elaine and I thought that you would enjoy information on the topic of pet & human psychology. Elaine has a positive, calm energy that makes her perfect for her work. Please send your feedback to Wes(at)TheStudlyPooch(dot)com. Thank you.)