Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Benefits Of Pet Ownership - College Essays

Benefits Of Pet Ownership

“I think I could turn and live with the animals. They are so placid and self-contained,” writes American poet Walt Whitman (Schellenberg 1). Yes, pets have been part of human culture throughout history, and in American households, they are more common than children. It is reported that 58% of U.S. households have at least one pet, whereas only 35% have children (Whitaker; Witherell 76). Owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet food, accessories, and veterinary care, but apparently pets give back, too (Schellenberg 1). Medical studies show that pet companionship offers concrete health benefits (Simross 14). While only in the past few decades have scientists ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

sleeping in one study (Avanzino). Also, interaction with animals is shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, subtle changes with enormous health benefits (Whitaker; Schellenberg 2). For example, a large Australian study reported in 1992 indicated that pet owners are at lower risk for heart disease than non-pet owners because of lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lower blood pressure (Schellenberg 2). A recent study at UCLA found that 37% of Medicare patients who owned pets visited their doctor less frequently and seemed to tolerate stressful events better (Whitaker). These are only the physical benefits.
“Being with animals. . .is just good for our hearts and souls. We . . .know that animals can lower blood pressure and help us live longer. But there is a whole other spiritual level there,” writes Susan McElroy, author of Animals as Teachers and Healers (Simross 15). The psychological benefits include reduced mental distress, a ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.

Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE:

APA
MLA
Chicago
Turabian

Benefits Of Pet Ownership. (2004, May 3). Retrieved February 1, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Benefits-Of-Pet-Ownership/7218

"Benefits Of Pet Ownership." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 3 May. 2004. Web. 1 Feb. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Benefits-Of-Pet-Ownership/7218>

"Benefits Of Pet Ownership." Essayworld.com. May 3, 2004. Accessed February 1, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Benefits-Of-Pet-Ownership/7218.

JOIN NOW

Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays

PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/3/2004 08:48:11 AM
Category: Miscellaneous
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 689
Pages: 3

Save |

Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS

Save and find your favorite essays easier