The Team at Vital Pet Life wrote in and shared with us how working from home with pets can contribute to positive therapeutic effects. The article is below.
Silver Lining to Working at Home with our Pets
In trying to find silver linings to our new remote working situations, if you're working from home with your pet, and haven't done so before, I'd love to share some uplifting stats. An estimated 85 million families, or 68% of the U.S have pets in their homes and studies have found that you may see a boost in your productivity, health benefits as well as perks if you have kids too. Obviously, no more anxiety about rushing home to care for them because they’re probably sitting on your desk or at your feet. Say goodbye to a post lunch crash; a quick walk outside with your dog in the fresh air, gives you the energy needed to push through your day.
Studies have shown that pets, especially dogs and cats, help keep us calm, reduce anxiety and loneliness by elevating our levels of serotonin and dopamine with their unconditional love. Working from home, we can feel the positive therapeutic effects of touch when we take a moment to love and rub our fur babies. You don’t have to have a dog or cat to feel the positive benefits of pet companionship; those who care for a reptile or a fish in an aquarium still have lower pulse rates and reduced muscle tension. My dog Tuxedo is now embodying mindfulness during this new surreal reality. He’ll bark, look me in the eye (is that compassion I see?) and ask for my immediate attention and awareness. Is he letting me know I’m not alone or maybe he needs to go out. Either way, he’s reminding me to live in the moment.
Many of my friends now have children at home. While it can be challenging to juggle your workload with your new role as home-school teacher, keep in mind that all of us benefit from playing with our pets. Our furry friends help us remain calm and relaxed, as well as stimulating our brain and body. Dressing up your dog and teaching it new tricks teaches our kids an appreciation of patience, creativity, collaboration and possibly most important during these times; humor.
We at Vital Pet Life are donating "Comfort & Care Packages" of our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil & Oatmeal Aloe Shampoo to our local animal rescue shelters because we know they’re feeling the burden of the quarantines as well.