Pet Therapy

We love our pets and they provide us with many wonderful moments, as well as companionship. But as we have come to understand ourselves and our pets better, we have learned that pets can be incredibly helpful to us in terms of our long term health and recovery. Pet therapy is a part of the medical community that is fast being recognized for its immediate and long term value. Indeed, there are organizations that exist for the sole purpose of ensuring that well disciplined pets are used to aid in the comfort, care, and recovery of human patients. The Oaks Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas has an entire ministry formed around such a concept.

Pet therapy revolves around the philosophical belief that human beings, who are social creatures, need companionship as part of their overall mental and physical health, and when either is at risk, pets can fulfill that role. Pets can do this easily and without the prejudices and judgments that may come with a human companion. In fact, scientific studies prove that patients who interact with any pet of any kind (fish, cats, dogs, birds, etc.) not only recover faster, but also live longer. Animals are nurturers by nature and our pets do not come to us with any preconceived notions of how we should act. They sit by our sides, walk next to us, lick our faces, and curl up without a complaint or a demand. This behavior prolongs life expectancy, reduces stress, relieves feelings of despair and loneliness, and as an extra addition, they love their patients unconditionally.