According to an expert, as new research shows there’s been a 200% increase in online searches for ‘emotional pet support’ over the last three months
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week next week (9th-15th May) we’ve teamed up with expert Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Rachel Rodgers Msc, to gain a better understanding of how animals (and pets more specifically) can provide mental health support.
It comes as research carried out by Everypaw has found a considerable increase in searches relating to animal-assisted therapies and emotional pet support, with phrases such as ‘puppy therapy’ seeing a 181% increase year on year.
While Rodgers acknowledges that animal-assisted therapies “[aren’t] really new, with the therapeutic value of companion animals being recognised by Florence Nightingale”, she believes that, in recent years, popular culture has led to a rise in animal-assisted therapies and the use of animals in providing mental health support.
Rodgers says: “There has been a rise, or seemingly a rise, in popularity due to social media.
“Universities and workplaces bring puppies, and in some cases farm animals, for students to pet on the run up to exam time. Goat/sheep/puppy yoga [have been] getting air time on popular TV shows such as ITV’s Gino, Gordon and Fred: Road Trip”.
Rodgers also highlights that the pandemic gave rise to a less formal support from animals, in the form of pets! That’s right, our lovable companions were there for us when we needed them most during the pandemic. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, pets were bought by people and families who didn’t fully understand the commitment, love and care a pet needs. As a result, many pets across the country were left to be rehomed.
So before you go out and make the leap, you need to fully appreciate the level of care an animal needs in your care. Rodgers adds: “It’s important to note that there is a difference between pets, emotional support animals and animal-assisted therapies because they provide support in different ways.
“In the UK, emotional support [animals] are not seen as the same as assistance [animals] and are not at present formally recognised. Assistance dogs without doubt provide emotional support but no ADUK organisation currently trains dogs purely to bring comfort or companionship”.
However, one thing that remains the same is that they’ve all seen a dramatic increase in search volume recently.
Searches for ‘emotional pet support’ have seen a 200% increase in the last three months and ‘emotional support cat’ a 24% increase year on year. ‘Pet therapy near me’ has also seen a 129% increase in searches year on year, showing that people are turning to their beloved pets for support.
While they are different forms of support, the increase in search volume of all three topics highlights the increased interest in animal-based support more generally.
At Everypaw, our area of expertise is pets; as a specialist pet insurance healthcare provider, we have the best interests of pets and pet owners at heart. In light of this, we’ve teamed up with Rachel Rodgers Msc to bring you the top four ways that pets can help your mental health.
As the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 is ‘loneliness’, there isn’t a better time to highlight the ways that our furry friends can support mental health and provide companionship!
Four ways pet can help people’s mental health, according to Clinical Animal Behaviourist Rachel Rodgers Msc
With the striking rise in searches for ‘pet therapy near me’, which has seen a 129% increase year on year and ‘emotional pet support’, seeing a 200% increase in the last 3 months alone, we’re keen to highlight the ways in which having a pet can help your mental health. Expert Rachel Rodgers Msc has put together a list of some of the most important ways a pet can improve your mental health:
1. Increase in physical and psychological wellness
Pets who need to be taken for walks, such as dogs, are paw-fect for your physical and mental health because they encourage you to get fresh air and physical exercise. However, the impact of having a pet goes even further than this, according to Rodgers: “[Research has shown that] simply stroking a pet has been shown to help lower people's blood pressure and heart rate which has physical benefits.
“Also in terms of mental health [having a pet] helps people to feel calmer as the surge of stress hormones within the blood levels also lowers, instead giving us a rise in dopamine and serotonin”.
Anyone else feel like immediately finding a pet to stroke?
2. Improved verbal communication
Having a pet can be a social experience, especially if you have an animal that requires regular walks, such as a dog.
Rodgers adds: “It can help keep people social, particularly those with dogs as whilst they may not feel able to get up and leave the house for themselves, they do it for the pet as they know that the dog needs it.
“Plus, it can create another support system for you as you’ll get to know other dog parents who also go for walks at a similar time to you. This can also improve verbal communication:
“For some it helps them to have an increase in verbal communication. Whereas they may have little they want to talk about themselves, they are more confident or comfortable talking to others about their pet!
“Even small things such as the dog's name, age, and breed can get them interacting with others again whereas previously they have shut themselves off from these interactions.
“Similar benefits have been seen with young children. Many children feel nervous and anxious about speaking aloud.
“Dogs are non-judgmental listeners so reading a story to the dog can be easier for these children than reading in front of the rest of their classmates [which can] promote self-esteem and social skills”.
3. Companionship
According to research, loneliness is linked to depression, particularly in older adults. Pets offer companionship to help combat loneliness as you can talk to them whenever you like and they’re a constant presence in the home. Many pets, especially cats and dogs, will sit with you while you’re watching TV or working and also want to play with you so you’re never truly left alone!
Rodgers explains: “[People often] find that even boring day to day chores become more interesting and manageable due to the companionship of their pet simply being present”.
Whether you’re ironing, reading a book, doing work or anything else, you can guarantee that a pet will be with you the whole way!
4. Stability and routine
One of the biggest reasons pets can help with your mental health is because they demand a stable routine, much like a child does. Pets need to be fed, well-maintained, have their surroundings cleaned, have regular exercise (some pets more than others) and so much more. Some pets also need training which requires a consistent routine too. As a result, having a pet gives you a strong sense of responsibility because you need to ensure they’re well-looked after. Rodgers says:
Rodgers says: “Responsibility of caring for another living being promotes well-being which is why some residential homes have coups of chickens etc for the residents to care for”.
“Routine and responsibility give you something to focus on and they can make life feel less uncertain.
“For many, having the routine that comes with a pet helps not only the person who may have mental health problems, but also their wider family/friends”.
If your family and friends know that you need to do certain activities at a certain time each day, it’s easier for them to check in on you to ensure you’ve done them. If you’ve not walked your dog or cleaned your rabbit hutch for a couple of days, it could be an indication that you need support and intervention.
What are the best emotional support animals, according to an animal expert?
So there you have it, having a pet can help your mental health in a number of ways, from physical exercise to providing stability and structure. You might be wondering, what are the best emotional support animals? While having any type of pet can positively impact your mental health and what pet you decide on depends on your personal circumstances. You need to seriously consider your reasons for getting a pet and how you can manage their welfare, emotional needs and behaviour. Every animal is different and comes with its personality and demands, which you will need to prioritise too.
Animal expert Rachel Rodgers Msc has put together a list of her top 4 best emotional support animals to make your decision as easy as possible:
1. Dogs
Topping the list are man’s best friend and the most owned pet in the UK according to research, dogs! Alongside being wonderful companions and great listeners, Rodgers comments that “the added benefits of exercising and walking them is not really seen with other pets”, putting them at the top of the list. Rodgers believes there’s a lot we can learn from pets, and dogs in particular:
“[We can learn] to enjoy the simple things and take time for what we enjoy and what makes us happy.
“When do you ever see a dog worrying about tomorrow? Or what they did yesterday? We could all learn a lot from that!
“Does a dog ever sit and question if they should pick up and stick and run around like a loon? Do they worry about the mess that will be made if they run through a muddy puddle? No, they just do it! It makes them happy. They don't care who sees, they don't worry about what the other dogs at the park think of them. They just enjoy it.”
2. Cats
Joining their canine pals on the list of the best emotional support animals are cats. Our furry feline friends are the second most commonly owned pet in the UK, according to research, and this is for a good reason!
Rodgers comments that “[Cats provide] most of the same benefits of having a dog, though they can be a bit more independent.
“[Also] you don’t have to walk them, though some people do”.
Cats are fantastic if you want to improve your mental health but are more limited with your time so may not always be around for walks!
3. Guinea Pigs
Does this surprise you? If you or your family need an injection of cuteness and fluffiness in your life then guinea pigs could be the answer, according to animal expert Rodgers:
“Perhaps not one many people would think of, and I’d recommend having more than 1 as they’re really sociable animals, but [Guinea Pigs] are more robust than a hamster and are less likely to sleep all through the day”.
Though you may not have the physical exercise that you would with a dog, guinea pigs certainly bring the fun factor, according to Rodgers:
“They have a great range of vocals, and guinea pig ‘popcorning’ is guaranteed to make you smile”.
Popcorning is a display of joy and excitement, usually seen as a combination of jumping, twisting and jerking. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, we don’t know what will!
4. Goldfish
Yes, you read that right! While they don’t necessarily encourage physical exercise or provide companionship like some of the other pets do, you’ll be surprised at how effective they can be at providing a calm atmosphere:
“[Goldfish are] underrated, but great for anyone who has fur/hair allergies.
“Watching them moving through the water has a great calming effect”.
Be prepared to care for a pet
Owning a pet is a big commitment; you need to make sure they’re happy and living their best life and not bought on a whim. While the research and appetite are there to own a pet to support mental health, you have to consider and be prepared for the pet’s needs. It’s not just walkies and cuddles. Even pets like Goldfish need a good level of care to keep them thriving. So you need to absolutely make sure if you’re getting a pet, you have the want, the time and the financial support to keep them happy and healthy.
At Everypaw, we understand that having a pet is a huge commitment and isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. However, as more and more people are looking for therapy dogs, emotional support animals and are wondering which pets are best for mental health, we’re dedicated to making your pet journey as easy as possible for you.
We provide pet insurance for dogs, cats and rabbits with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses, so you can rest assured that they'll be well looked after, whoever your new family member is! Get a quote today if you want to learn more about our pet insurance.