(PRESS RELEASE) WASHINGTON, DC — Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has created a new, shareable infographic highlighting the science supporting pets for healthy aging. The infographic, “Can Pets Help You Live Longer?”, is a collection of scientific research findings indicating the benefits of pets for a longer, healthier life.
The human-animal bond – the mutually beneficial relationship between people and pets – can play an important role in the healthy aging process. Among its many benefits, research suggests that pet ownership can facilitate resiliency against cardiovascular disease, reduce obesity and improve physical activity, provide important social support and even reduce overall risk of mortality over the long-term.
Pets are regarded by human health professionals as beneficial to health and wellness. In the most comprehensive survey of physicians on this subject, conducted in 2014, doctors had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the human-animal bond:
- 97 percent of doctors believe there are health benefits that result from owning a pet
- 75 percent of physicians said they saw one or more of their patients’ overall health improve as a result of pet ownership
HABRI encourages sharing this infographic far and wide to remind people that in addition to providing us with much needed companionship and joy, pets can contribute to longer, healthier lives for all.
This infographic is part of an ongoing series to help share human-animal bond research and share the message that pets enrich our lives, in good times and in bad. In May, HABRI released the Top 5 Mental Health Benefits of Pets. In April, HABRI shared the Top 5 Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond.