The Power of Pets

Our furry friends boost our health, physical and mental

     Beth Buhler, 83, is disabled and lost her husband nearly three years ago.  She had had a Labrador Retriever, but he proved to be too much work, and she thought she’d try life without a dog.

      “But I was sitting here one day and thinking, ‘Well, maybe I’ll just see what’s out there,’” she says.

      Buhler contacted Pets Lifeline, a shelter in Sonoma, Ca., where she lives, and an adoption counselor answered. “I think I have just what you’re looking for, a sweet small dog that doesn’t require a lot of exercise.”

    When Buhler went to see the dog, an applehead chihuahua, she weighed two pounds and was hiding under a chair. She also had a huge tumor hanging from one leg and cancer. The dog was in the hospital for five weeks after surgery and dental work, all taken care of by Pets Lifeline.

       “Then, she came home with me, and it’s been a love fest ever since,” says Buhler. “I felt lonely without a dog in the house. We play every morning and get big hugs. My daughter says I’m a different person. Cookie’s my baby and I love her.”

Beth Buhler with Cookie

  If you’ve ever had pets, you’ll be familiar with their force for good in our messy, muddled world. They are magical creatures who bring us happiness and love. And they’re wonderful friends for seniors on their own, giving them constant companionship and a purpose, while healing their loneliness.

    But pets also bring a host of more concrete health benefits for older adults aging alone. The American Heart Association says that pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decrease in cardiovascular disease, this country’s leading cause of death, in part because dogs can encourage us to increase our physical activity. The National Institutes for Health reports that interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone), and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal says feeling like we’re alone in the world can be as detrimental to our health as smoking, obesity or lack of exercise. Over time, loneliness can even increase one’s risk of early death.

    Yet it may be the emotional aspects of having a pet that can be most transformative for seniors on their own.

    “Lots of research and data show that pets provide us with unconditional love and companionship,” says Olivia Kristiansen, CEO at Sonoma’s Pets Lifeline, an animal shelter and rescue organization. “It’s a love that some people have never experienced in their entire life and when you have a pet, you get to experience that connection. They reduce loneliness and stress, give you a sense of purpose, and encourage owners to increase physical activity. They are such gifts.”

      Kristiansen says research has shown that when people interact with their dogs, that increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin. “It’s the love hormone,” she says. “This shows how deep the love between animals and humans goes. Animals make us feel good. It’s like being in love. They promote feelings of happiness and well-being and that’s a powerful force in the life of somebody who’s feeling isolated.”

      “We have observed over and over again the positive impact a pet can have in any number of settings,” says Colleen Crowley, communications manager at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in San Mateo in Silicon Valley. “Our doctors tell us what joy the animals brought those who adopted them, how happy they are, and how the animals have become part of their families.”

    Susan Lee Vick, CEO of Joybound People & Pets in San Francisco’s East Bay, reports that 76% of total pet owners report their health increases with a pet, 87% say having a pet improves their mental health and 98% believe that their pet is an important part of the family. “Every single senior I know has told me they talk to their dogs and cats and that they would feed their pets before themselves,” she says.

          While pets can be a great comfort in the home, their ability to help us stay socially connected to others is just as important. Dogs can kindle new friendships by inspiring us to chat with other dog owners, for instance, while out walking or visiting the vet.

     “I have a pet, you have a pet,” says Joybound’s Vick. “We meet on the street and have an instant bond, a social bridge, a reason to talk to each other. This is very powerful for seniors, an opportunity to talk with others. A lot of our country has divisions and the bond between people and pets can bring us together in a happy and healthy way.”

    And here’s something you might not have thought about: adopting a pet helps other pets.

“Shelters across the country are full, with 6.5 million dogs and cats entering animal shelters last year and only 4.8 million animals adopted,” says Rena Lafaille, director of administration at The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Adoption Center in New York City, via email. “When you adopt or foster an animal from a shelter, you make an impact that ripples throughout shelters nationwide and makes space for more animals in need.”  

    Some seniors are reluctant to adopt for a number of reasons, including that they fear their pet will outlive them and friends and family will not take over its care.

     Many animal welfare organizations have instituted workarounds to deal with these concerns.   

      As part of the Guardians Program at Marin Humane in Marin County, Ca., for instance, some animals come to the shelter by prior arrangement and the shelter will take on the job of finding a new home for the pet. “It’s a boon in terms of comfort for the pet owner, and gets rid of their anxiety,” says CEO Nancy McKenney.

    Marin Humane has other safety nets, adds McKenney.

      “When an elderly person falls ill and the first responders go to the house and realize there’s an animal there, we get called by the fire department or police to come and pick up the animals until we can find out if there’s a relative or friend who can care for it,” says McKenney. “If there is no one to care for the animal, Marin Humane will board it for free.”

     The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Continuing Care allows seniors to choose a home for their pet before they pass, at which point the shelter will connect their furry friend with the new home, or care for them while shelter counselors look for another home based on information the senior provided to the shelter when she first enrolled. The shelter also flags the pets in its database, which helps to prevent pets from becoming unexpectedly marooned, confused, and alone in an unstable environment, while reducing strain on family and friends.

     Some seniors also don’t know what type of pet they should choose fearing they will get a dog, for instance, who has tons of energy. Most shelter executives advise people to determine what they want ahead of time. Kristiansen at Pets Lifeline advises older adopters to look for smaller dogs because some large dogs, for instance, have lots of energy and need more space. 

    Those who have trouble getting around should look for a match to their energy level and environment, she adds.

“There are a lot of elderly dogs in shelters that would be a great fit for people with limited mobility,” says Kristiansen. “Also, they’ve been trained. And they require less exercise. And if someone thinks dogs require too much maintenance, cats are great, very low maintenance and independent, depending of course on the temperament and age. Older cats work well.”

     But large dogs should not be discounted, says McKenney. “When you bring an animal into a 70-year-old’s or 80-year-old’s life, that pet can be the purpose for them to go exercise, go on that walk, play with another living creature. It’s just great medicine in animal form and can be really helpful.”

     Some cats and dogs have so much love to give, yet are sometimes overlooked due to their age, size, breed, or specific needs, says Lafaille of the ASPCA Adoption Center. “This includes senior pets, who are typically the last to be adopted. They may have a few years on their younger counterparts, but they are just as loveable, cute, and loyal,” she adds. “In fact, a senior pet may even be more suitable to your lifestyle, as they often don’t require constant monitoring and training, and are more likely to settle into a home quicker. Older pets can provide just as much companionship as their younger counterparts and may enjoy activities such as napping and cuddling on the couch.” 

Vick says seniors should have a good sense of who they are when they go looking for a pet. “Dogs are diverse in their needs and personalities as people are,” she says. “Are you up and out at 5 a.m. to walk the dog? Then you want a more energetic dog. If you live a quieter lifestyle you might want to go with a cat.” And Vick advises also against ruling out big dogs. “Some seniors can feel much safer by having a large dog at home. Look for an older, senior pet. They’re calmer and not as reactive. A 6- to 8-year-old was with us for a while. She was slower, but what a companion she would be for someone 70 or 80.”

The expense of having a pet can also be a stumbling block, say animal welfare executives. Vet visits, food, grooming, and boarding prices have exploded in the last four years as equity companies buy up vet practices and emergency hospitals and hike prices beyond what most seniors can afford.

Luckily, many shelters have free food and free vaccinations, chipping and wellness checks to help with pet-related costs for people who qualify for them.  “We are getting 10 to 30 calls a week asking for help and resources from people for their pets,” McKenney says, “and of course, we want to keep pets in the homes where they’re loved.”

       If you feel you can’t commit to adopting a pet for the long term, Vick says seniors can foster animals. “Seniors have proven to be superb fosters,” she says. Even if they took a dog out of the shelter for a night, that’s super valuable.”

 Brenda de la Ossa, an active senior volunteer, and participant in Joybound’s Pet Hug Pack program, is out about four times a week visiting assisted living facilities, schools, libraries, and more with her companion Lulu, a pug mix. At library events, kids come and read to Lulu, and at Barnes & Noble, de la Ossa reads to kids who can pet Lulu while they’re listening.

    “I can tell you the power of these animals,” says de la Ossa. “Number one, she forces me to exercise and that’s critical as you age.  You’ve got to get all the pieces moving. We’re out walking at 6:30 a.m. for a mile and a half. Then, after dinner, we go for another one. And you can’t say, ‘I don’t feel like it,’ you have to go. And when you’re on your own it’s company. You can’t be lonely when an animal is in the house.”

      De la Ossa says volunteering helps her remain engaged. “It’s just easy to stay home and watch TV.  But this helps you not to be lonely, to feel you’re giving back.”