Animals Heal

[Barb Gordon]

There have been countless studies on the effects animals have on the elderly and on sick people. But do you beleive any of it? Have you experienced it in some form for yourself perhaps? If you have pet(s), do they seem to comfort you when you're upset or ill...or all they always eating and sleeping in the corner totally oblivious to you?

~Barb

[gtracer72]

Well, I'm sure that dogs ,for example, can help elderly people. Especially if they have lost a loved one. Having a dog keeps them company. As for preventing sickness, or something along that nature, I think thats a far fetched idea.

[Marc]

It's a well known fact that your emotional state can affect your health, so anything that cheers you up can make you feel healthier as well.
Pets absolutely have that affect on humans, and I can personally attest to it.

[Bleu Unicorn]

I definitely think this. My grandmother and my father are both nurses and have worked in various nursing homes. I allways remember coming to work with them and seeing the residents just brighten up like Christmas trees (it's the only analogy I could think of, lightbulb sounded dumb) at seeing animals come to visit the homes -- or in one place they had adopted dogs from shelters and stuff and they wandered around freely. You really saw how great it was to the patients when one of them scruffy things came in their rooms and gave them a kiss or something. It was so heartwarming.

As for my pets -- I've always used my poor pets as my "talk to about anything" kind of friend. Until I got Dolly, though, I never realizied how special animals are. I've been told that she really seems to tune into me. And I definitely see it, when I'm sad or depressed, she's right there -- like she knows -- putting her head in my lap or giving me her toys. It's so sweet. She's also very watchful when I'm sick, she won't move one inch away from my bed -- she literally held her bathroom necessities for 2 days when I had a horrible case of the flu.

Hmmm, I think I sort of went OT -- but my point was, yes, I do think they help heal people. Animals are just great things that way, they can do so much for people that is so unnoticed at times.

[meatwad945]

sure why not were all under brain control anyways

[TimTwoFace]

I don't know if my pets allow me to heal quicker - I try to stay away from my dog (and the two gerbils) so I don't give them any colds.

I do know, however, that when I'm feeling down or something, stroking my dog and hugging and cuddling him does make me feel better, even if it's just a little bit. Dogs are such lovable things, especially the big sookie that my dog is. They're very therapuetic.

-Tim

[Pilmedium]

Pets can't help you get over a current cold quicker, because they do not affect the inside of your body. I'm tempted to say no altogether, because they make some people happy. I get sick as frequently when I am happy as when I am sad.