Influence Of Pets On Human Life
Since time immemorial, the presence of pets or companion animals in human life has been reflected in numerous records. The influence that pets have exerted on humans has filled pages of books, articles and other media.
Origin of the influence of pets
Going back to the oldest human-pet relationship, the human-dog relationship is confirmed from archaeological evidence. Specifically, evidence has been obtained that the domestication of the dog occurred at the end of the last ice age.
At that time, humans were engaged in hunting and gathering, and were nomads, so they did not have a permanent residence. Domestication seems to have been the result of an interaction process between the two species that lasted tens of thousands of years.
The ancestors of dogs established an interaction with humans based on protection, provision of food and shelter, which resulted in coevolution and cooperation. Currently, in Western culture the number of households that have at least one dog or one cat, as well as multi-pet households, has increased.
Science and human-pet interaction
In the past, science had not given importance to the interaction between a human and his pet. According to the Darwinian view, a pet in the city does not bring any observable benefit. They suppose an increase of the economic cost and of time when demanding food, cares or attention, among others.
Despite this, people continue to adopt or incorporate a pet into their family nucleus, and that is because they are considered one more member of the family. And science has taken note of the importance of the presence of these animals in human life.
What do people get out of pet relationships who ignore the financial consequences?
This question is the one that has been tried to answer in recent years. In the last three decades, the relationships between people and companion animals have been studied in detail. Its study has started from different disciplines and scientific fields, such as psychology, anthropology or history.
Anthrozoology is a discipline that has generated great interest in society. This has led to the appearance of scientific journals focused on this new field, as well as the institution of different associations.
One of these associations is the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) , focused on the reliable dissemination of scientific studies related to this topic ; collects donations to encourage research. In addition, universities in the United States have established postgraduate courses related to this topic.
Therefore, some authors have focused on the molecular level and have suggested that the hormone oxytocin is a relevant factor in answering this question. This hormone allows to establish bonds of trust between people, as well as between humans and animals.
Some of these studies have shown that dogs have the ability to look at people. The establishment of reciprocal gaze is important in relationships to strengthen trust. As the philosopher Martin Buber said, “the eyes of an animal have the power to speak a great language” ·
Oxytocin then intervenes in the establishment of social bonding. However, his role is not yet fully unraveled, as it is too complex. However, it has led to the creation of a new term, the ‘pet effect’.
Effect of the influence of pets
The pet effect refers to the idea of the positive influence that living with an animal has on people. Different studies have registered a health benefit, such as increased survival after suffering heart attacks.
It was also recorded that they favor an increase in social relationships, strengthen people’s self-confidence and lower triglyceride and cortisol levels, as well as blood pressure. In summary, they allow several types of positive sensory stimulation that may be related to the release of oxytocin and the strengthening of the human-pet relationship.
At a scientific level, it can be said that the influence caused by the company of a pet includes physiological, therapeutic and psychosocial aspects. It has been observed that all those people with pets increase their physical activity, and this is reflected in a positive way in their health.
Therefore, the presence of a pet is a benefit for people of all ages. Of the different pets that can be found, the dog or the cat are included in that list.
Simply put, the influence of pets on human life brings short- and long-term benefits. Animals are considered a member of the family, and they fill the home with laughter and happiness, so … put a pet in your life!
