Dogs and cats are good therapists

Pet animals such as dogs and cats are becoming increasingly important in the social, health and educational fields, according to a representative survey by the Forsa Institute commissioned by pet food manufacturer Mars Petcare. The pet animals counteract loneliness, promote good health and assume important functions as day-to-day helpers, the company reports with reference to the pet study 2013.

29.11.2012

„As assistance dogs for ill and disabled people, as reading dogs in special schools, as visiting animals in nursing homes or as a partner for single people“ - Pets have the potential to at least mitigate the consequences of societal changes such as demographic change or increasing isolation, according to the announcement by Mars Petcare. According to the results of the current Forsa survey, three-quarters of Germans rate pets as indispensable in many areas, but still underestimated by society. In total, about 22 million cats, dogs, small animals, birds and fish live in Germany, reports Mars Petcare. In one third of the household, the pets are at the same time companions, day-to-day helpers and contact persons.

Pets counteract the loneliness
The opinion research institute Forsa surveyed around 1,200 adults on behalf of the pet food manufacturer. The majority of respondents were convinced of the importance of pet animals, especially for singles, seniors and children. For example, pet animals such as budgerigars, dogs or cats would make older people feel they need to be used, and adolescents should become responsible for their pets. Frequently cited example of the importance of pet animals in everyday life „Police and guide dogs, but also in therapy or at school, animals now have a permanent place“, explained Loïc Moutault, Managing Director of Mars Petcare Germany. In his view „Many new scientific findings in the field of human-animal relationships are still too little known.“ In the Mars pet study 2013 „Dog - cat - human. The Germans and their pets“ According to the company, for the first time, the importance of animals has been „education, social life, health and the economy.“

Lower healthcare costs through your use of pets?
„Animals have a much higher value to society than we realize at first glance“, stressed the CEO of Mars Petcare. As helpers in schools, as visiting animals in old people's homes or as everyday helpers for people with disabilities, the animals make an important contribution. Also, 85 percent of respondents were convinced that animals should be increasingly used for therapeutic purposes, in order to counteract the rising costs in health care. Thus, the cost of acquiring and maintaining an animal are minimal, with quite convincing positive effects. Many respondents also advocated allowing pets in nursing homes in general.

Pets improve the quality of life and the emotional bonds
The trend researcher Professor Peter Wippermann explained in the current study that pets can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life and the emotional bonds. „In an environment of insecurity, pets remain perennial friends, compensating for the loss of physical closeness in human relationships“, explained Prof. Wippermann. In the Forsa survey, around two-thirds of the participants also said that talking about animals would make it easier to talk to other people. The representative survey, overall, „that even most non-pet owners recognize the positive effects of pet animals and consider their appreciation in society to be too low“, reports Mars Petcare. (Fp)

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