Do you have an animal in your life? If so, does it make you a happier person? 

According to the article Healthy Pets, Healthy People from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, animals can increase opportunities to get exercise, get outside, and socialize. A human’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels are decreased by regular walking and playing with pets.

Having an animal during rough times is good. According to Help Guide’s article, Benefits of Pets, Cats and dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, ease loneliness, and depression. Even having a fish can be good. The positive outcome of having a fish is helping reduce muscle tension and helping you get a lower pulse rate. The article also states that studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. Playing with a dog or a cat can also elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax. Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without too. Kids that have emotionally attached relationships to their pets are better at building relationships with other people. 

Having a pet can provide companionship. Companionship can add years to your life and also help prevent illness into your life. During this global pandemic, loneliness can make you feel depressed. You can adopt a pet and change your whole life. You will have many responsibilities to take after. There is this saying, “adopt, don’t shop.” This means go to your local shelter or pet store and adopt an animal who needs a home, an animal that could have been there for a while, even an animal that is too old and is not getting adopted just because a family wanted a younger animal. Do not get an animal if you are not going to take care of it and if you are never going to be home for it.