Mental Health Awareness Month: How Owning a Pet Can Impact Your Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Month: How Owning a Pet Can Impact Your Mental Health

May 12, 2022
• Health & Wellness

How Owning a Pet Can Impact Your Mental Health From Dr. Amber Karwacki of Heart + Paw

The pandemic prompted people everywhere to re-evaluate their mental well-being. With this isolation came a surge in pet adoptions. Nearly one in five households has adopted a new pet – that’s 23 million new pets in less than two years (Source: ASPCA). According to Heart + Paw veterinarian, Dr. Amber Karwacki, there are several positive impacts pets have on our mental health:

Reduces Stress / Improves Mood – Pets have been proven to help with anxiety and stress and provide a sense of companionship and support. Not only do pets help with anxiety, they help with physical health as well. Walking your pet gets you outside in the fresh air which helps with your mood, sleep, mental health, and physical health.

Provides Purpose – Becoming a pet parent creates a new purpose to be responsible for the well-being of someone else. Pets help with adding structure to your day. Having a set schedule for your pets like meal times and walks, helps make one feel organized and focused, giving a sense of achievement. 

Creates Sense of Community – Having a pet eases the feeling of loneliness and can also increase your opportunity to socialize with others. This is a great way to spark conversation and meet new people. Whether walking down the street or exploring a new dog park, the opportunities are endless. This increased socialization amplifies self confidence and boosts sense of community. 

Over time the relationship between human and animal has evolved and it continues to grow. Pets have many great benefits for their pet parents and we are only scratching the surface with mental health.

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