April 4, 2025
It is true that April showers bring May flowers, and to the relief of many Michiganders, it brings one more thing: warmer weather! As we come out of our winter hibernation, now is the perfect time to grab your pup’s leash and head out for a walk. On average, most people in America walk their dog at least nine times a week, for about thirty minutes. More of a cat lover? Take time to enjoy your cat’s favorite activity, like watching birds from the window or relaxing in a cozy sunspot. Whatever the case, spending time with your pet is more beneficial for your mental and physical health than you may realize!
Pets keep us young; research shows that pet owners over fifty often experience less stress, a sense of purpose, better social connections, and increased feelings of love and joy. In addition to these benefits, pets provide companionship, support, and help reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. A recent survey suggested that 1 in 5 Americans have had a pet recommended by a doctor or therapist to help with these overwhelming emotions. Animals play many important roles in our lives, but the support they provide during physical and mental health recovery has proven to be vital for many who may experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other health conditions that require a service animal.
Animals also help their owners stay active; walking the dog or dragging a toy on the floor for the cat to chase can improve sleep, mood, and overall mental health. Due to the opportunities dog owners have to connect with other pet lovers face to face, it is easy to make friends in the pet community while playing at the park. If your pet prefers the comforts of home, have no fear; there are still ways that you can show off your colorful chameleon or comfortable couch kitty to people who will love them as much as you! Social media has proven time and time again that connections can still be made with other animal lovers through group chats and pet communities on all social media platforms. These groups are usually easy to join, and if group socialization is not for you, TikTok and YouTube have plenty of funny pet videos for you to watch.
Caring for animals is also beneficial for children, teaching them empathy from a young age. Class pets have been known to help students improve their learning skills, especially when students read to them. Animals in the classroom have become so popular that many schools have begun introducing therapy dogs as a source of comfort for students during the school day, not just when there is a traumatic event. Reading to animals did so well in schools that many animal shelters have developed reading programs, giving children opportunities to practice their reading skills, and animals ready for adoption get vital time to socialization before heading to their forever homes. The Humane Society of Genesee County hosts reading programs for children regularly. To learn more, click here.
Many workplaces are also catering to the idea of welcoming pets to the office! Studies show that pets in the workplace may help reduce stress and anxiety, increase productivity, improve employee satisfaction, teamwork, collaboration, and help teams build better sense of community. According to the American Heart Association, when dogs are introduced to a communal work environment, employees put more trust in their teammates, work better as a cohesive team, and show an increase in productivity, regardless of if the meeting in person or virtually.
At the end of the day, pets are one of the greatest sources of companionship that we have in our lifetime. The look on your pet’s face as you come home after a long day at work, or even just a trip to the mailbox, is a bond unlike any other. In fact, studies suggest that when pet owners see, touch, hear, or speak to their pets it’s an instant mood booster! However, there are many animals out there still waiting for their forever home, with most shelters constantly at full capacity. Shelter staff are tasked with providing the best care for these animals; a big challenge for what is usually a small team. So, what can you do?
While donating money, food, toys, and blankets are all vital to keeping animal shelters running, there is one resource that many struggle to find daily: volunteers! Volunteering your time at a shelter gives them the help they need to provide the best care for their animals and can be a healthy activity for you. Research suggests that when people volunteer in their communities, they feel a sense of purpose, are more social, and feel positive emotions. Volunteering is also a good outlet for those who may not be allowed to have a pet at home but want to enjoy their company. If those reasons are not enough, spending time at an animal shelter is also good for the shelter’s main residents: the animals! The bond that animals experience working with a volunteer can help them feel more comfortable at the shelter until they find their forever family. Helping shelter staff by cleaning cages, taking a dog on a walk, or cuddling a cat helps relieve some of the stress put on employees, and gives the shelter more opportunities to give each animal proper care and attention.
Celebrate Dog Appreciation Month, National Pet Day on April 11th, and National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30th by spending time with your pet, or at a shelter near you! Below are just a few shelters in Genesee County that accept volunteers:
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