Social Benefits of Animal Ownership

Although owning a pet comes with responsibility, there are benefits to animal ownership as well. Pets offer companionship and a way to de-stress from your normal routine. Perhaps most attractive to you are the potential social benefits of animal ownership. Whether you want to adopt a dog, a cat, a bird or even a fish, you can find social perks to the situation.

  1. Pets as Companions

    • People who live alone or in places such as residential houses and long-term care facilities can become withdrawn and depressed. Animal ownership provides relatively stress-free relationships for people who feel isolated. Pets provide unconditional affection and are attentive, friendly creatures to which people can divulge their troubles. Taking care of pets can give people who feel isolated and unhappy a goal to strive for each day.

    Improve Social Skills

    • Both the isolated and young children especially can benefit from animal ownership when it comes to improving social skills. People who are not used to interacting with others can practice social interaction on pets. Adults who feel isolated may build courage to talk to others after they talk to pets. Parents can watch children interact with pets and teach the kids right from wrong. Kids learn to treat pets as they would like to be treated and can extent this lesson to social interaction.

    Pet Community

    • Pets can help people make friends. Whether through an online chat group or a local center devoted to pets, animal owners can meet other people who like the same animals. Share tips and stories about animal ownership and get together for social gatherings. You don't even have to join an official animal lovers group. Walk a dog in the park or around town and start conversations with people who comment on your dog's beauty.

    Volunteer Spirit

    • People who adopt a pet may grow to love animals. Since it is not feasible to adopt more pets that you can handle, you may express your love for animals by volunteering for shelters and charity events. When you volunteer, you meet new people. Befriend others while you feel good for supporting worthy causes.