A new study shows pet ownership has significant benefits to people suffering from mental health problems.
This study shows that pets can have a therapeutic benefit to our mental health, and their unique emotional support stops us from feeling isolated and alone.
BMC psychiatry investigated the extent, nature and quality of the evidence that supported the positive impacts of pet ownership on people living with a mental health condition.
The study highlighted the intense connection between people with pets, particularly those with companion animals.
Pets were found to help people with mental health conditions in a multitude of different ways, including managing mental health particularly in crisis situations.
Negative impacts of pet ownership, including the burden of owning the pet and the psychological effects of losing the pet when they pass away, were considered, however overall the study found the positive benefits far outweighed the negative.
Dr Helen Brooks from the University of Liverpool's Institute of Psychology, Health and Society said "Our review suggests that pets provide benefits to those with mental health conditions. Further research is required to test the nature and extent of this relationship, incorporating outcomes that cover the range of roles and types of support pets confer in relation to mental health and the means by which these can be incorporated into the mainstay of support for people experiencing a mental health problem."
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