The supportive role of animals in human lives has been a real factor since cavemen put on clothes. Animals have been used for centuries for hunting, herding, tracking and guarding the homestead or the owner sleeping under the stars.

A couple of centuries ago, doctors and caretakers began to notice the improvement in mental patients after interacting with dogs. Several hundred years later, a concept of Pet Facilitated Psychotherapy was coined by a child psychiatrist noticing that his patients only responded to him and made any positive strides after they played with his dog.

In today’s world, there are guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf and dogs for the disabled. There are training facilities all over creating special dogs to help disabled people, including seniors, with their restrictions.
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When your house was bustling with the clatter of children and their activities, meals to be cooked, laundry to be done, the heartache of first loves and the pain of skinned knees, it may have crossed your mind that you may never have peace and quiet again.

Well, now you’ve probably got way more peace and quiet than you wanted. Reality is not always pleasant. But there is a simple solution that can fill your life with so much love and purpose that your reality will change dramatically.

Pets have been proven to fill the emotional holes in the lives of many Baby Boomers suffering the loneliness of inevitable transitions, like illness, divorce or loss of friends or family.

When you bring a pet into your life, you receive unconditional love and a reason for joy. Your pet is grateful for your care and in turn, will be your faithful companion, and quiet listener. There is medical evidence that pets can add years of fun and happiness to your daily life, including a sense of well-being, purpose and that good ol’ reason to get out of bed every morning.Contact with animals has been shown to lower blood pressure. Personally speaking, I can say this is true. My dog Copper has been a great stress reducer in my life. He makes me smile and makes laugh. Other studies indicate that pet ownership can increase the survival rate for cardiac patients, improve circulation, reduce bone loss and lower cholesterol levels. All of that from petting and caring for a pet? How wonderful!