We continue our Human Animal Bond Series today with Part 2. The Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond. As part of completing the introductory training offered by the Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy Association and Healing Hooves Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy, I’ve been able to review various research studies highlighting the value of the bond between humans and animals on several levels – emotional, physical, social and cognitive (or thoughts-based). There is certainly a need for more high-quality research to replicate earlier findings and address inconsistent findings in the field. Future studies could also address other factors that may influence research results. For example, when people are thought to have a bond with their pet cat or dog that helps their heart health, it would be interesting to know whether the increased walking or physical activity is the main factor improving heart health or something else. Nevertheless here are some interesting findings on the Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond.
Children with autistic spectrum disorder show improvement in their sensory sensitivity, social motivation, inattention and verbal language after Animal- Assisted Therapy sessions with dogs or horses.
Seniors who own pets in the community have reduced loneliness and depression ratings compared to seniors who do not own pets.
The presence of an aquarium in nursing homes has a benefit on the quality of life of residents who have dementia. For example, there is better appetite and calmer surroundings during meal times.
There are some changes in blood pressure and the level of stress hormones in the body (e.g. cortisol) in adults who interact with either their own pets or friendly dogs not known to them. These changes can happen within minutes of meeting the dog.
Mortality rates a year after having a serious heart attack is lower in people who own pets versus those who do not own pets.
In one study, an equestrian and various horses in her herd had their heart rhythms measured (the study measured heart rate variability) during different activities. Activities included the equestrian watching her horses, grooming or walking them, riding her horses or practicing a focusing exercise during which she focused on her horses with care and appreciation (in an exercise called the Heart Lock-In exercise). The researchers wanted to know whether the horse and human rhythms came into sync at certain times. It was found that the equestrian and horse heart rate rhythms were in sync (called coherence) at certain moments and this coherence is believed to be linked to the quality of bonding between the horse and person.
Research aside, each of us who are animal lovers have stories attesting to the power of the Human Animal Bond.
We invite you to take a few moments to reflect on a heart level about a special animal or animals in your life. We have used some ideas from the Heart Lock-In exercise described in the research above. You can try this on your own, or even take a few minutes to do this when you with your animal, as long as you are at a safe distance or you know them well and they seem relaxed with you.
Heart Awareness Exercise
Take a few deep breaths and notice how your body feels right now
As you take the deep breaths in, allow yourself to imagine that you are breathing from your heart
Imagine that you are breathing in through your heart and out through your heart
Imagine your animal is standing in front of you. If they are comfortable and you are near them, simply look at them while you keep breathing in this way.
Let feelings of care or appreciation for your animal arise naturally.
Radiate these feelings of care and appreciation towards your animal (either in your imagination or directly to your animal if he or she is standing in front of you)
If your mind wanders to something else, gently focus attention back to breathing through the heart and reconnect with feelings of care and appreciation for your animal.
After a few minutes, you can focus on something else and end the exercise.
