Opinion Piece2.CB

Bueno 1
Camila Bueno Renjel
Ms, Veronica Hevia y Vaca
English
June 5th, 2020
Animals as medicine for humans

For years now, animals have been considered an extra part in humans life´s, like an
additional supplement in people’s households, but animals go beyond that. In this particular
opinion it will be about domestic animals, because of the fact that this ones that have most
contact with humans. Despite the fact that some people would prefer not to have animals at home
for different reasons, there are plenty of benefits about having pets.
History shows that human beings started living with animals a really long time ago
(between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries). The first species to be domesticated was the
dog breed, at least 30,000 years ago. Eventually the species started bonding a relationship, where
the benefit was mutual: dogs hunted and guarded and humans assured dogs with food and
warmth. So, contrary to what some people may think, the benefits between pets and humans have
been mutually beneficial since the beginning.
What actually defines the relationship between humans and pets is affection. As a matter
of fact this is what differentiates pets from livestock (both domesticated animals): the degree of
contact between animals and humans. That is another reason for why animals and humans keep a
mutually beneficial relationship. Companionship, protecting homes or property are considered
some of the purposes and tasks for pets , clearly it does not apply to all pets, but the question is:
are those all of the benefits that humans can get from their pets? Actually not, there are plenty
more!
Bueno 2
Personally I love animals, they have always been an important part of my life and
specially my childhood. For the most part I thought animals were just cute and I didn't really
think that I would benefit from having a pet. When I was 5 I really wanted to have a puppy, to
the extent of asking my parents for one almost every single day. When I finally got one my life
changed for good. My parents got divorced and my mom worked the whole day when I was 5, so
I felt really lonely and sad. This was just around the time I got my puppy and I felt happy and
accompanied since, just with having someone to play with. This sudden change in me when
adopting my dog could be based off on how dogs are able to understand our emotions by
interpreting our words/voice, body language, gestures, etc.
The most amazing benefit about some pets in my opinion is that they provide physical
and emotional support, not only to their owners, but to people who are in need of this service.
These animals, mostly dogs and cats, are called therapy animals and they are medically approved
to visit confined humans, like children in hospitals, elders in nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, hospice programs, shelters, and schools. They’re sometimes brought into this places
for people to pet and caress the animals, reducing patients’ stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness,
encouraging exercise and improving their mood.
The great thing about pets is that there’s not one answer about how a pet can help
somebody with a specific condition. A study found that children with autism and other learning
difficulties were calmer when they played with guinea pigs. The children spent 10 minutes with
them resulting in their levels of anxiety dropping and them having better social interactions. On
the other hand a research of the University of California found that Alzheimer’s patients that
owned a dog or cat, had less stress, anxiety attacks and a decrease in aggressive behavior.
Additionally adults who own cats or dogs have better skills to pay attention, remember details,
Bueno 3
etc. than those who don´t own a pet. Scientists actually hope that in the future, it will be possible
to “prescribe” an animal to a person with a certain condition and investigate on how a bird, fish,
or lizard could help reduce stress and loneliness.
However some people still have some problems with owning pets. A Canadian study of
the 90s established that the reasons for not adopting pets were: not being able to take care of
them when traveling, lack of time and lack of a house suitable for pets. I know you will have to
agree that these are just some of the responsibilities that an owner of pets has to assume. Gladly
there are a bunch of alternatives when people still want to be part of the experience, but don’t
have the requirements to properly compromise. People can volunteer at pet shelters or walk a
neighbour/friend dog. One thing awesome about some animal shelters and rescue groups is that
some of them offer a type of rent program where people can take dogs or cats to play and take
them back, something like fostering, but indirectly until they find a home.
In conclusion pets can really be more than just a complement for humans. The
relationship between human-pet is mutually beneficial and some types of pets can really have
amazing advantages, as reducing stress, improving mood, among others. Despite all of this
having pets is a lasting commitment and not even though not everyone is able to have them ,
there´s always volunteers in animal shelters. I strongly believe that people should understand the
amount of benefits from having pets as well as the responsibilities.
Sources (links)
https://daily.jstor.org/the-invention-of-pets/
https://www.britannica.com/animal/pet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm
Bueno 4
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
https://www.humana.com/prevention-and-care/healthy-living-and-prevention/emotional-health/
pets
https://www.cancer.net/blog/2015-04/why-do-pets-make-us-feel-better#:~:text=Scientists
%20have%20also%20observed%20that,levels%20of%20the%20hormone
%20oxytocin.&text=It%20slows%20a%20person's%20heart,sense%20of%20calm
%20and%20comfort.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/20/health/benefits-of-having-a-pet-wellness/index.html
https://www.rd.com/advice/pets/benefits-having-pet/

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Bueno 1

Camila Bueno Renjel

Ms, Veronica Hevia y Vaca

June 5th, 2020

Animals as medicine for humans

been mutually beneficial since the beginning.

mutually beneficial relationship. Companionship, protecting homes or property are considered

interpreting our words/voice, body language, gestures, etc.

encouraging exercise and improving their mood.

or lizard could help reduce stress and loneliness.

amount of benefits from having pets as well as the responsibilities.

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