June 14, 2006
By SANDRA ECKSTEIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fran Robbins bounds out of bed early every morning. Not because she has to go to work or get anyone ready for school. It's her three little Malteses that insist Robbins get moving.
"They have to go out and they want breakfast," said the 73-year-old widow. "We have things we have to do."
Photo: Fran Robbins, 73, of Snellville credits her three Maltese dogs — Jilly, Cho Cho and Jake (shown with her daughter's dog Trevor, second from left) — with helping her get through the death of her husband, Bob, and making her feel secure in her home. 'Pets don't just make you feel good; they're good for you,' says Dr. Marty Becker, author of 'The Healing Power of Pets.' (Renee' Hannans Henry/Staff)
Besides keeping her busy, Cho Cho, Jake and Jilly also are credited with helping Robbins get through the death of her husband, Bob, just over a year ago and helping her feel secure in her home.
"They may be little, but they're loud," the Snellville resident said. "They let me know if anyone's around the house."
Robbins isn't alone in crediting her pets for keeping her more active, alert and happy. Medical professionals have been studying the phenomenon for two decades and have found that having a pet around can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increase the odds of surviving a heart attack, diminish pain, decrease doctor's visits and medications, and lessen stress, depression and loneliness, said Dr. Marty Becker, who has written several books on the human/animal bond, including "The Healing Power of Pets."
"Pets don't just make you feel good," Becker said. "They're good for you."
That hasn't escaped the people at Delmar Gardens of Smyrna. Residents at the independent and assisted living facilities are encouraged to have pets, activities coordinator Jeanne Wells said.
"To have somebody care about them is so important," Wells said. "Many don't have a lot of family left, or don't get a lot of visitors, and the pets give them love and the ability to care for something and the ability to get love in return."
Betty Howard, a resident of Delmar Gardens, said she "would have given up a long time ago" if it wasn't for her dog, Chili.
Howard, 68, who has pulmonary hypertension and uses a wheelchair, said her dog, a Maltese, makes her get out every day.
"And she gets a lot of attention. It takes me 10 minutes to get outside because everyone wants to say hello to Chili," Howard said. "If it was just me, I don't think most people would even stop."
'SOCIAL LUBRICANT'
Dr. Alan Beck, a professor of animal ecology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, said his research has shown that all pets, but especially dogs, improve health.
But Beck said many older people don't keep pets because of costs, time restraints or moving to housing that doesn't allow them. A 2002 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that about 30 percent of people over 65 who are living alone keep pets, while about 40 percent of retired couples 45 and up have them.
"Twenty years ago, it was a big deal for us to bring a bird or animal into a mental hospital or nursing home," Beck said. "Now more than 65 percent of homes have some kind of animal program, from allowing residents to keep pets to visiting therapy pet groups."
Beck said people with pets decline less physically and mentally than people without pets.
"It's having something to look at, talk to, for meaningful touch," said Beck. "It improves our morale and it relaxes us."
Pets also act as a "social lubricant," bringing people together, Beck said.
OLDER PETS
While some older people might balk at the thought of raising a puppy or kitten, Stephanie Shain with the Humane Society of the United States said there is an easy alternative: an older pet from a rescue group.
"Many rescue groups have pets that are housebroken, leash-trained and even know some basic commands, which is great for an older person who might not want to go through all that training," Shain said. "Rescue groups have usually done all the vet work, including spaying or neutering and shots, on a pet before they place it. And the fees are much cheaper than buying a puppy."
Shain said if a new landlord doesn't want pets, find out if it's because of one bad experience, then ask to keep a pet on a trial basis.
"If ever there's a time when someone needs an animal, it's during a phase when people often are moving away from family or friends, and it's terribly sad to think that's when they tell them they can't have a pet," Shain said.
Of course, animals aren't for everyone. For some people, a pet "won't help and could add stress," said Dr. Sandy Barker, director of the School of Medicine Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Then again, some people who don't like pets have a change of heart. Frances Evans never thought much of cats and wouldn't have allowed one in her house — until her son dropped off a starving stray five years ago. Evans and Klesko, a yellow tabby, had some negotiating to do, but the skinny feline wormed her way into Evans' heart. When Evans, 82, moved into Delmar Gardens three years ago, Klesko was a friend she could take with her.
"She's a lot of company," Evans said. "She can be a pain sometimes, but I wouldn't give her up for the world. If something happened to her, I'd get me another cat."
5 REASONS TO OWN A PET
1. Pets can decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
2. Pets can increase your opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities.
3. Pet owners have better psychological well-being and fewer doctor's visits.
4. Pet owners feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking or living with a dog.
5. Seventy percent of families surveyed reported an increase in happiness and fun after acquiring a pet.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Delta Society, an organization promoting the benefits of human/pet bonding.
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