{"content":[{"text":"Research shows that the emotional[2] and social support[3] pets provide helps buffer \n stress, promote resilience, and recover from adverse circumstances.","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.040147,"width":0.734669,"height":0.034351999999999994}},{"text":"Studies have demonstrated that pet owners recover faster from stressful events than \n non-pet-owners[4] and also that the simple act of petting an animal reduces anxiety[5]. \n Science has shown that pets activate oxytocin in our bodies’ systems and reduce \n cortisol levels in our brains, documenting the physiological mechanism behind stress \n reduction and improved well-being[6] [7].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.092647,"width":0.7489779999999999,"height":0.08662399999999999}},{"text":"For those recovering from trauma, regular interaction with animals in a structured \n intervention has been found to reduce participants’ self-reported fear and anxiety, \n depression, and sleep disturbance[8] [9].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.197496,"width":0.705352,"height":0.051699999999999996}},{"text":"Dealing with anger and frustration","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.267496,"width":0.31815600000000005,"height":0.016927000000000025}},{"text":"One great tip for coping with anger and frustration is changing one’s surroundings or \n finding a welcome distraction. Pets are good for both - try playing with your cat or dog!","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.302496,"width":0.745452,"height":0.03435100000000002}},{"text":"One study found that pets helped people cope with depression and other mental health \n issues[10] by serving as a distraction from typical symptoms and encouraging \n meaningful activity[11].Walking, exercising, or playing with pets is associated with \n greater happiness and less stress relative to other activities[12]. Science shows that \n pets can instill feelings of happiness in people and improve mood. Pet owners also \n laugh more often than non-pet-owners[13].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.354996,"width":0.754245,"height":0.10404800000000003}},{"text":"Research suggests that pet owners often derive the same amount of overall social \n support from their pets as from their parents or siblings. This support is another \n contributing factor to the greater levels of well-being and happiness that pet owners \n tend to experience [14] [15].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.477269,"width":0.7215689999999999,"height":0.06919900000000007}},{"text":"Taking time for yourself","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.564693,"width":0.222217,"height":0.016927000000000025}},{"text":"Moving your body is a great way to take some time for yourself. Research shows that \n spending time in nature can be restorative, allowing the brain to rest and process \n information[16]. A pet can be a great reason to get outside and walk, and research \n shows that dog owners walk more often than non-owners[17].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.599693,"width":0.737708,"height":0.06920000000000004}},{"text":"Processing big changes","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.687117,"width":0.22551500000000002,"height":0.016927000000000025}},{"text":"It goes without saying that the pandemic brought unexpected changes to people’s lives. \n In providing consistency, companionship, and purpose, pets have helped us process \n the pandemic and feelings of uncertainty[18].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.722193,"width":0.758491,"height":0.051775000000000015}},{"text":"Keeping up with self-care is so important for processing change. When so much can \n feel overwhelming, it’s easy to stay in bed or on the couch. Keeping up with normal, \n healthy habits is important. Pets can encourage us to adhere to our routines and add \n structure to our lives[19].","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.792117,"width":0.7346349999999999,"height":0.06920000000000004}},{"text":"Self-acceptance","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.879541,"width":0.14923800000000004,"height":0.016927000000000025}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}