A new study has been getting a lot of media attention lately.
It seems pet owners have higher self-esteem and are less fearful and preoccupied than those who don't live with pets.
So, no more thinking of us as crazy cat ladies or wacky dog people! Now, we're the sane ones!
Dr. Allen McConnell, the lead researcher for the study, says people who are close to their pets are also closer to their friends and relatives. In other words, pet people make relationships a high priority and solid relationships are correlated with better mental health.
A surprising outcome of Dr. McConnell's study is that the people who saw the most humanlike qualities in their pets got the most benefit from their relationships.
So, go ahead and anthropomorphize (assign human qualities, behaviors, and emotions) your pets to your heart's content! It's good for you!
--Laurel
Don't you just love it when the scientists "prove" what we've known all along? ♥
Posted by: Marty Tousley, CNS-BC, FT, DCC | April 10, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Amen! Not that I ever doubted it!
- Heather
Posted by: Heather at New England Pet Hospice | April 11, 2012 at 05:34 AM