Our rescue animals have such different and interesting personalities, and it’s easy to see why having a pet can enrich the life of an owner in so many ways. The health benefits of owning a companion animal are scientifically proven. Academic studies demonstrate that dog owners over the age of 65 have, on average, the activity levels of those ten years younger and display lower levels of anxiety or depression.
A recent study in the United States analysed 1,371 adults between the ages of 18 and 65. The study was undertaken by Johns Hopkins Medicine, a leading medical research organisation, and concluded that children who grow up with a pet dog are much less likely to develop schizophrenia as adults.
Living with man’s best friend before the age of 13 was linked to a 24% reduction in the risk of developing the condition. People who had grown up with a dog as a baby were even less likely to develop schizophrenia, with the risk dropping by an amazing 55%.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that has a range of different symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and muddled thoughts. More than a quarter of a million people suffer from the illness in England, Wales and the Isle of Man.
The Johns Hopkins researchers also concluded that there was no causal effect of growing up with a dog relating to the risk of bipolar disorder. So why is the effect so significant in relation to schizophrenia? The researchers have said that there needs to be further studies to explore several possible explanations. These include investigating whether there is something in the canine microbiome that can be passed to humans, and which then bolsters the immune system against a predisposition towards schizophrenia.
Interestingly the study showed that early exposure to pet cats did not have an impact on the likelihood of developing either schizophrenia or bipolar disease. However, in other studies cats have been proven to enhance the lives of their owners, particularly those who might have limited interaction with other people. Cats provide companionship, a daily routine, stimulation and hours of entertainment – even the most dignified cat will have his moment of madness every day, rushing around like a lunatic.