{"id":5751,"date":"2021-10-21T11:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T16:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=5751"},"modified":"2025-07-08T19:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T00:05:11","slug":"pet-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/pet-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Animals Make Us Better: Exploring the Power of Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/pet-power\/?tp_image_id=5754\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=300%2C157&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Exploring the Power of Pets\" class=\"wp-image-5754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=1024%2C535&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=150%2C78&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=768%2C401&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?resize=960%2C502&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been multiple studies to show the mental and physical health benefits of pets. It has even been found that simply being around a dog or petting it can boost your mood and make you feel better. That\u2019s one reason why pet therapy has become so popular across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a pet at home, you probably have no problem singing their praises. Pet owners often treat their furry friends like family, and see the wonderful benefits they can provide.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s more than just that good, loving feeling you get after arriving home after a long day at work. It\u2019s more than those sloppy kisses that make you laugh or the warm cuddles in the rocking chair.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you currently have an animal or not, it\u2019s important to know how \u201cpet power\u201d works, and how animals truly make us better.\u00a0(I will refer to cats\/dogs in this article, but the same concepts can be applied to birds, reptiles, horses, or other pets).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pets Reduce Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/pet-power\/?tp_image_id=5752\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-snuggle.jpg?resize=225%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Our pet Bailey snuggling\" class=\"wp-image-5752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-snuggle-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-snuggle-rotated.jpg?resize=113%2C150&amp;ssl=1 113w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-snuggle-rotated.jpg?w=480&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most widely accepted benefit of pets is their ability to reduce stress. You probably already know this, though you might not always realize it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How much better do you feel after spending some time with your dog or cat? If you did have a hard day, how quickly can your pet turn it around for you?\u00a0It\u2019s not just a coincidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown that not only can being around an animal reduce stress, but it can lower blood pressure and also ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. They decrease the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) your body produces, making it easier to calm down quickly.\u00a0Their fun-loving and pleasant demeanor helps &#8220;co-regulate&#8221; our nervous system to more closely match theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a mental health condition, spending more time with your pet may make it easier to manage your symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">They Ease Feelings of Loneliness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No one likes to feel lonely. But, it\u2019s a bigger problem than most people realize. If there\u2019s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught us, it\u2019s how much loneliness and isolation can take a toll on your mental health. Isolation often leads to:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Depression<\/li><li>Anxiety<\/li><li>Increased risk of heart problems and stroke<\/li><li>Greater mortality rate<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A pet is a constant, loving companion. No, they can\u2019t talk back or offer advice. But, they do offer unconditional love, attention, and care. People who are prone to feeling lonely can greatly benefit from the presence of a pet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">They Make You Feel Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way pets make us better is by boosting our self-esteem. Without your care and attention, your pet wouldn\u2019t survive. They need you so they can have food, shelter, exercise, and love.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling needed is hugely important for some people. It gives them a purpose and keeps them motivated to keep moving forward. If that sounds like you, invest as much time into caring for your pet as possible, knowing that it is benefitting you both.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doing so can boost your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It can also make you less fearful and more willing to get out and socialize (on those walks in the neighborhood or trip to the dog park).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019ll Stay in the Moment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"267\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/pet-power\/?tp_image_id=5753\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-office.jpg?resize=267%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bailey stays with me all day in my office while I work.\" class=\"wp-image-5753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-office.jpg?resize=267%2C300&amp;ssl=1 267w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-office.jpg?resize=134%2C150&amp;ssl=1 134w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Bailey-office.jpg?w=570&amp;ssl=1 570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Pets typically live a moment-to-moment lifestyle. People don\u2019t often have that luxury, especially if you\u2019re anxious.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mindfulness has become very popular in recent years. It\u2019s the practice of consciously staying in the present moment and appreciating it fully. When you\u2019re with your pet, you don\u2019t have a choice but to be mindful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, your dog isn\u2019t walking on their leash thinking about the time they got scolded a few days ago. They\u2019re focusing on the things around them and how they feel in that moment. They can be a great role model for you if you\u2019re struggling with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are so many additional ways in which pets make us better. Do some research of your own, and if you don\u2019t have one already \u2013 it might be time to bring a four-legged friend home.\u00a0But even if pet ownership is not right for you, consider spending time around animals in nature or when you have an opportunity to.  (When I was in college and couldn&#8217;t have a pet in my apartment, I would sometimes just go the the pet store to see and interact with them for a short while). Even brief interactions with animals can be beneficial.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-contact-me\">Contact Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don\u2019t have to figure it out on your own. &nbsp;&nbsp;Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Having a safe, confidential space to work through life\u2019s struggles<\/li><li>Speaking openly with a highly-trained professional <\/li><li>Learning to be curious about oneself and become more mindful about your choices<\/li><li>Identifying relationship patterns that are helpful, or existing patterns that are interfering with your growth and well-being.<\/li><li>I offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/what-is-online-counseling\/\"><strong>online therapy<\/strong><\/a> (video conference style of therapy), which provides an increased level of comfort as you could meet with me from the privacy and comfort of your own home or other location.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<!-- Start SimplePractice Booking Widget Embed Code -->\n<style>.spwidget-button-wrapper{text-align: center}.spwidget-button{display: inline-block;padding: 12px 24px;color: #fff !important;background: #058dc7;border: 0;border-radius: 4px;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;text-decoration: none}.spwidget-button:hover{background: #d15913}.spwidget-button:active{color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .75) !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15) inset}<\/style>\n<div class=\"spwidget-button-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jennifer-tzoumas.clientsecure.me\" class=\"spwidget-button\" data-spwidget-scope-global=\"\" data-spwidget-autobind=\"\">Book Appointment with Jennifer Tzoumas<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- End SimplePractice Booking Widget Embed Code -->\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!-- Start SimplePractice Booking Widget Embed Code -->\n<style>.spwidget-button-wrapper{text-align: center}.spwidget-button{display: inline-block;padding: 12px 24px;color: #fff !important;background: #058dc7;border: 0;border-radius: 4px;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;text-decoration: none}.spwidget-button:hover{background: #d15913}.spwidget-button:active{color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .75) !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15) inset}<\/style>\n<div class=\"spwidget-button-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/anthony-tzoumas.clientsecure.me\" class=\"spwidget-button\" data-spwidget-scope-global=\"\" data-spwidget-autobind=\"\">Book Appointment with Anthony Tzoumas<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- End SimplePractice Booking Widget Embed Code -->\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">You can request a specific appointment time that fits your schedule.  Once confirmed, you can complete all New Patient Intake paperwork online as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*** The tips offered in this article are for general information and should not be considered medical or psychological advice.  For more personalized recommendations appropriate to your individual situation, please contact us or obtain professional guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-related-articles\">Related Articles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/volunteering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benefits of Volunteering in Your Community<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/maslow_needs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prioritizing Your Changing Needs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/grit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What is Grit and How do We Cultivate It?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/here-and-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living in the Here and Now<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There have been multiple studies to show the mental and physical health benefits of pets. It has even been found that simply being around a dog or petting it can boost your mood and make you feel better. That\u2019s one reason why pet therapy has become so popular across the country. If you have a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[5,1253,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coping","category-general-info-awareness","category-stress"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.4 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Animals Make Us Better: Exploring the Power of Pets &#187;<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many studies show the mental &amp; physical health benefits of pets. 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Simply being around a dog or petting it can boost your mood.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/pet-power\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Creative Solutions Behavioral Health, PLLC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/creativesolutionsbehavioralhealth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-10-21T16:20:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-09T00:05:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LI-1200x627-1-300x157.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jennifer Tzoumas\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jennifer Tzoumas\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jennifer Tzoumas\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/da3daccdc0bfe59c98c6da6bffc677e9\"},\"headline\":\"Animals Make Us Better: Exploring the Power of Pets\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-10-21T16:20:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-09T00:05:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":917,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/LI-1200x627-1-300x157.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Coping\",\"General Info\\\/Awareness\",\"Stress\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/\",\"name\":\"Animals Make Us Better: Exploring the Power of Pets &#187;\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/pet-power\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/LI-1200x627-1-300x157.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-10-21T16:20:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-09T00:05:11+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\\\/rebuild-csbh-sit\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/da3daccdc0bfe59c98c6da6bffc677e9\"},\"description\":\"Many studies show the mental & physical health benefits of pets. 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