Pet ownership and benefits to Seniors
Thomas McGuire
Brenau University

Abstract
Many seniors own some type of pet, Whether it be your normal cat or dog, a bird or even aquatic animals such as fish. There are health benefits to owning a pet that include lower blood pressure, increased exercise and even fewer visits to the Doctor. For seniors a pet can provide a sense of responsibility, safety, companionship and even a sense of purpose. Pets even can receive benefits from ownership by a senior, Who generally retired have a lot more time to devote to taking care of the animal.

Pet Ownership and Benefits to Seniors
Pets provide many health benefits to their owners. A study of 5741 participants who attended a free screening clinic showed that pet owners had significantly lower cholesterol and blood pressure than non pet owners (IFA 2014). Lower stress has also been attributed to pet ownership. One study was performed solely focused on a group of stockbrokers with hypertension who adopted either a cat, dog or had no pet. The pet owners were found to experience less stress-related increase in blood pressure than non-pet owners (IFA 2014). A study on walkability reported that dog owners were more likely to achieve the recommended level of physical activity for their age group (IFA 2014).
Pets can also provide many non -health benefits for seniors. Many elderly pet owners mention that their pets provide them with companionship, company and feelings of security and feelings of love(Hara 2007). Where others have noted that pets provide increased self esteem, life satisfaction, positive moods and lower levels of loneliness (IFA 2014). Pets may have an important role in consoling older people through the bereavement period. A study of older people whose spouse had recently died showed that strong attachment to a pet mitigated depression.