Pet Ownership Has a Positive Impact on Mental Health, APA Poll Finds

A large majority of U.S. adults who have pets feel that their pets have a positive impact on their mental health, according to the latest findings from APA ’sHealthy Minds Poll released today.“It’s easy to overlook the role of pets when we’re talking about mental health,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A., in anews release. “But for people who do enjoy the company of animals, they can be a source of companionship, comfort, love, and friendship. I routinely encourage adoption of a pet to my patients who struggle with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or technology. We’re also starting to see more and more research around the role that animals can play in recovery from depression and other psychiatric disorders.”The poll was conducted online by Morning Consult from February 6 to 9 with a sample of 2,200 adults. The results were released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association.Among all survey respondents, 72% reported having pets at home —52% had dogs; 37% had cats; 7% had fish; 4% had birds; and less than 3% had turtles, chickens, horses, snakes, lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs, or hamsters. Eighteen percent of pet owners said one or more of their pets were certified as an emotional support animal.Among pet owners, 84% said their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health, compared with only 1% of pet owners who reported a mostly negative impact. Those who said their pets positively affect their mental health offered the ...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Healthy Minds Keywords: pets mental health Morning Consult Petros Levounis poll positive impact Saul Levin Source Type: research