Animal therapy

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? I have.

I first met him at a friend's place. He was sitting near the window and unceremoniously turned his head to eye me as I slowly walked across the room to sit near him.

The first thing I noticed about him were his big green eyes. They utterly hypnotised me, as they caught the light shining through the crisp curtains. So much so that, before I knew what I was doing, I crept from my chair and over to that window, to reach out and touch him.

Oh dear! I hadn't even introduced myself! Then I noticed how soft he felt to my touch, which only served to fuel my rapidly growing affection.

Finally I whispered hello and smiled my most charming smile. He had me hook, line and sinker, and I willed him to return a fraction of my interest. He did. He eyed me up and down, a lot longer this time, then got up and rubbed himself all over my legs. Interestingly, he gave me a tiny kiss, as he wandered off to the kitchen for some lunch.

Of course, I'm talking about my pet cat! I took him home with me the next day and we have lived happily (if you don't count the times he's bitten me to remind me to feed him) ever after ...

It's a fact that people with pets are healthier. They are healthier because they are happier. They are happier because a pet is capable of fulfilling your life more, and indeed can give you unconditional affection. A person and a pet adds up to great chemistry.

Let's get the boring stats out of the way. About 65 per cent of Australian and United States households have a pet. In the UK it is about 43 per cent. Dogs top the list. Cats come in second. Rabbits get a bronze medal for the joy they bring their owners. In the UK, about 0.2 per cent of the population have insects as pets.

There are no figures for Bahrain, however, just from asking around, I've discovered members of the expat population here enjoy keeping a pet for the same reason as everyone else - love. Yes, when a survey was done online of pet owners, 31 per cent said love kept them and their furry or feathered friend together. Altogether now ... 'awwww' ...

Many people view their pets as life companions for this reason. It is truly a special relationship, where if love is the main ingredient, then companionship, protection and even fitness are to be the sugar and spice in the mix. And this is precisely the reason that people are healthier when they have a pet.

Let's break it down a little. When we feel love or give love, our body releases feel good hormones and our stress levels decrease. This adds up to lower blood pressure; relaxed muscles and general well-being, both in the short and long term. The desire to nurture and care is also a basic instinct in people and doing something for someone (even if they happen to have four legs instead of two - or no legs at all!), draws us away from procrastinating on the bad things in our life and makes us feel good. In the long term your body will reward you with a stronger immune system and even a healthier heart!

Companionship is defined as camaraderie. Think about the loyalty one gets from a dog or cat. Your best friend, Fido or Fluffy, provides a quiet yet strong friendship bond. Animals are great teachers of patience and responsibility, and can bring shy people, or children, out of their shell. And who better to keep a secret than a pet? Pet owners therefore, also tend to have better emotional health. Pets allow us to let down our guard and will never judge us.

We are all familiar with the scenario of a dog furiously wagging its tail and grasping its lead in its mouth, pleading with its owner to take it for a walk. Pets also can keep you very fit. If you're not chasing your pet around the house; cleaning up after it; picking it up to play; moving its cage; carrying bags of food and litter; you are probably taking it for a walk! Pets will get you moving - ready or not!

Engaging with a pet works your muscles in different ways and their energy tends to rub off onto you which is great for improving your lung capacity. Running with a big healthy dog will soon have your whole body in tip top shape. Riding a horse is fabulous for toning up your entire lower body, and sprinting to catch your rabbit that escaped from the cage will improve your agility and leg strength.

It's been said that animals are 'natural born healers'. Many hospitals and nursing homes take advantage of this and have in place what is called 'Pets as Therapy' programmes. Many scientific studies suggest that pet owners also live longer than those who only socialise with other people.

People over the age of 65 have less visits to the doctor if they have a pet - even if they own just a small bird in a cage - and mentally ill patients learn about ways to manage their feelings and behaviours, through animal interaction.

So, reach out and pat, stroke, play or talk to an animal today. Ride an elephant if you get a chance. Milk a cow if you dare. Giggle with a chimp. Feed a horse. Tickle a lizard. Swim with a dolphin. Sing back to a bird. Or fall in love with a cute pet that suits your home and lifestyle, all for your health's sake.

Good luck everyone and enjoy!