Women with HIV/AIDS pets make a difference

Owning a pet not only helps women with HIV/AIDS but other health issues as well

According to new research from Case Western Reserve University pets not only help women with HIV/AIDS cope with their disease but just may help with other chronic diseases.

Dr.'s Allison Webel and Patricia Higgins, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case conducted a study of 48 women with HIV/AIDS in order to better understand how women manage their disease on a daily basis, comply with their medications and take care of their overall health.

Researchers had conducted 12 focus groups with the women with an average age of 42 years. The roles had included pet ownership, mother/grandmother, faith believers, advocate and employee. During the focus groups these were the six influential social roles emerged that had both help and hindered these women in managing their illness.

All of the social roles had a positive impact except stigmatized patient which had stopped women from revealing their illness and finding appropriate support.

However, researchers were surprised that pets, primarily dogs, had provided the women with a sense of support and pleasure according to Dr. Webel.

Just how did these pets have an effect on their lives? One dog owner remarked "Dogs know when you're in a bad mood ... she knows that I'm sick, and everywhere I go, she goes. She wants to protect me." For those who owned cats a cat owner had commented "She's going to be right there when I'm hurting.”

Dr. Webel theorizes that these findings may also apply to women living with chronic diseases.

This study appears in the January 2012 issue of Women's Health Issues.

Studies have found that pets are more therapeutic than people may realize.

The CDC notes that you can receive a heart healthy result from your pet, lower cholesterol. It seems that pet owners have significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in comparison to those who do not own a pet. It still remains unclear if it is the pets presence or if those who own pets maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression in comparison to those without pets. According to Dr. Katy Nelson, DVM, associate emergency veterinarian at the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Alexandria Virginia states “At Walter Reed Army Medical Center, they’re using dogs to help soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.” She notes that men who have a pet are able to re-enter into society a little easier. They have someone to be responsible for, someone who cares about them and they “don't have to explain what they have been through”.

Let us not forget the cats they are just as beneficial as the dog. Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, veterinary consultant for Good Morning America and author of the book “Your Dog: The Owners Manual, states “If you have a cat, you’re 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack, and you’re 40 percent less likely to have a cardiovascular incident like a stroke.” When it comes to dogs he notes if you have a heart attack you are significantly more likely to be alive a year later.

A study conducted in 1992, had discovered that one-third of pets living with people who are diabetic, the pets behavior would change when the owners blood sugar level had dropped. This behavior is most likely due to a reaction of chemical changes in the owners body. That study has made a positive impact on organizations such as Dogs 4 Diabetics and Dogs Assisting Diabetics. These organizations train dogs to be companions for patients who are at risk for unstable blood glucose levels.

Loyola Medicine in November 2009, RECOVERING WITH FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS REQUIRES LESS PAIN MEDICATION in a immediate release had noted that adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint replacement surgery require 50% less pain medication in comparison to those who do not use this therapy.

Pets can also elevate your mood and those who own pets over the age of 65 have 30% fewer visits to the doctor than those who do not own a pet.

Pets simply provide a whole lot of unconditional love with a bunch of physical and mental health benefits.

If you decide to get a pet choose one that fits your lifestyle. If your an indoor person mostly look for one that does not mind being inside and looking out the window like a cat. They love to cuddle and can be amazed by the littlest of things.

If you are an outdoor person and love things like walking or running, a dog might be the more appropriate choice for a pet. Dog's love the outdoors whether it is playing or running and will definetly keep you on the move.

For more tips on picking out a pet you can find information at HelpGuide.org.

Before going to a breeder or pet shop you may want to stop at the local shelter and give a permanent loving home.

Michigan Humane Society

7401 Chrysler Drive

Detroit

313-872-3400

Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society

13569 Joseph Campau Street

Detroit

313-891-7188