Any animal lover is intimately familiar with the mental and emotional benefits of the human-animal bond. However, I would to discuss a few physical benefits of this relationship, specifically when recovering from surgery.
In a previous post, we discussed the some chemical changes that are going on when we interact with pets. Regarding physical health, pets create natural opportunities to for their parents to engage in physical activities through play, affection-giving, and feeding routine. During recovery, pet play provides stimulation for cognitive abilities, as demonstrated in the video below. Pet care activities also assist in regaining pre-surgery independence. It's hard not to feel motivated with such an energetic companion by your side!
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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
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