Human-Animal Bond: Benefits to Health and Wellbeing. Sagely Speaking with Mary Bono Podcast

This week I was a guest on the podcast Sagely Speaking with Mary Bono. Sagely Speaking with Congresswoman Mary Bono is "a thought-provoking podcast of interviews with experts from diverse fields…exploring a wide range of topics from the opioid and fentanyl epidemic, social issues, politics and policy to personal development, shedding light on important issues that impact our society."

Mary Bono is widely recognized as a national leader on multiple issues, including addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA).

I currently serve as a MAPDA Ambassador, to lend a voice to raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for policy changes relating to the challenges associated with prescription drug abuse and the inherent dangers of fentanyl. So how and why did I end up as a guest on the Sagely Speaking podcast?

In my capacity as a MAPDA Ambassador I started thinking, how can I contribute to this conversation? Why are so many people affected or know someone impacted by prescription drugs or addiction? 

My professional background is in the pet industry, so how do I fit in? Well, it started with our company, Lucy Pet Foods and our manufacturing plant Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods. We ensure that our Employee Benefits package includes a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Then, during normal employee meetings we introduced the topic of prescription drug abuse, and the danger of fentanyl. We shared information from MAPDA to our employees in the employee breakrooms and tried to remove the stigma of discussion, and to let them know help was available. Our approach was to merely start with a conversation. 

While this was a good first step I started thinking how do I, as one individual use my professional experience and knowledge to help people and their families dealing with the challenges of addiction or recovery? 

As I reflected on my 30-year career in the pet industry, I realized that I have had extraordinary experiences with service dogs, therapy dogs, and support dogs. I've seen how animals help people. 

During my 13-year career at Petco, I was an early participant at HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Initiative a non-profit research and education organization that is gathering, funding and sharing scientific research to demonstrate the positive health impacts of companion animals.

Incidentally, the HABRI website is an excellent source of information. It explains that “the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors considered essential to the health and wellbeing of both. This bond is beneficial to the mental, physical, and social health of people, and animals.”

Without question, there's a strong relationship between people and animals, which has a genuine impact on the health of individuals, families and in our communities.

Not only are people are happier (and healthier) by having pets, but there is a growing body of scientifically documented benefits of the human-animal bond. Health benefits such as decreased blood pressure, lower anxiety, and enhanced feelings of well-being.

Given all this, it occurred to me that the topic of the Human-Animal bond and the various benefits to mental and physical health would make an interesting topic for the Sagely Speaking with Mary Bono podcast. 

If you have time to listen to the Sagely Speaking with Mary Bono podcast, this all makes sense and flows well. 

LISTEN HERE

I wanted to share a few others details here that I didn't have time to expand on during the podcast itself.

Addiction Recovery & Pets

•      People in recovery should discuss with a professional therapist first.
•      Assuming the person can sufficiently care for themself, a pet can help provide calm, relaxation, give purpose, encourage exercise, socialization, bring joy.

Addition Prevention & Pets

•       Pets may help “fill a void” in the person’s life.
•       Pets give a purpose, reason for living, knowledge that someone depends on them.
•       Lack of compassion, affection, isolation, self-worth.
•       Provide an opportunity to play, experience innocence through a pet’s view.

Important to Know before getting a pet…

•       Pets require time, commitment and money- this is very important to understand.
•       Match a pet to your lifestyle and home (dog, cat, fish, bird, do you want an active dog breed vs lazy dog breed, etc.)
•       Do research on the pet to understand their needs.
•       Adopt a pet at a local shelter. So many senior pets need homes!

Other advice…

•       If you know someone who is dealing with issues in their life, have a conversation about whether a pet might be beneficial.
•       Never surprise someone with a pet, they must have commitment and willingness.
•       Dogs do best when trained properly. The more you put into them the more you get out of them.
•       Feed the best food you can afford. Better nutrition early in life saves you money down the road with vet bills!

Full disclosure, my company Lucy Pet Foods is also a sponsor of the Sagely Speaking with Mary Bono podcast. It was just serendipity that this all came together!