When you have a pet, you realize what they are capable of: unconditional love. They always greet you the same way when you come home, no matter how long you've left them alone.

Pets, whether they are cats or dogs, are affectionate, innocent, and very endearing animals, capable of greatly influencing people's lives. When you consider getting a pet, as has been mentioned many times, it's important to consider your availability and lifestyle. Because no matter how much you love animals, there are certain factors that sometimes prevent you from having one at home, such as your profession.

Despite these factors, which clearly need to be taken into account, there is a certain "positive influence of pets on people's health and well-being," as a study from the University of Antioquia has shown. The companionship of your pet can relax and soothe the stress you have from work or other causes.

What influence can pets have on people?

It has always been said that pets are very good for people, but it is no longer just something said, as various studies have proven it.

According to the study conducted by the University of Antioquia in Colombia, the effects of pets on people are classified into four areas: therapeutic, psychological, psychosocial, and physiological.

Therapeutic

Both dogs and cats can participate in therapies with sick patients to improve their quality of life. More and more research projects are including dogs to conduct assisted therapy, both emotionally and physically, to help patients overcome certain illnesses. For example, the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid has started assisted therapies with dogs for alcoholic patients.

Psychosocial

Pets can help people develop certain skills that allow them to relate better. In fact, a study by Wood et al demonstrated that pet owners can be more immune to certain diseases.

Psychological

Pets provide a lot of affection and create great companionship in a home, being able to fill the house with their presence. This positively influences the owner, as it can lead to a lower chance of feeling lonely.

People who have pets have fewer problems with psychological issues, such as symptoms of loneliness or stress.

Physiological

Dogs can influence physiological factors, acting as a protector against cardiovascular diseases in owners. "Dog owners have greater physical activity compared to those who don't," states the study from the University of Colombia. Dogs are animals that need to go out for their needs, and depending on the breed and size of the pet, they may even need to exercise.

According to a study by Lynch with cardiac patients, it states that "mortality in the first year of recovery was four times higher in patients who did not have pets."

The love and companionship received from a pet are much greater than all the influence pets can have on humans. There is nothing truer than the love and companionship of an animal.

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