Most of us need companionship in our lives and we can often find it with our loved ones. However, some may live alone in isolation and may only be able to connect with their family and friends through wired communications. People often get pets to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with loneliness or isolation. In times when we’ve suffered lockdowns and disconnection, discover the ways that pets can help people cope with isolation…

Exercise

When you have a pet, you have to provide them with their basic needs such as food, shelter, and care. If you have a dog, you need to take them out every day for a walk to keep them healthy and regulate their weight. These daily walks can be beneficial for your own health as well. To make your stroll productive, you need to take note of some of these:

— Where are the nearest veterinary clinics?
— Where can I find holistic pet food near me?
— Which places are dogs not allowed?
— Where are the dog parks?

These pointers can help you in taking care of your pet dog while you exercise with them.

Photo, Yerlin Matu.

Companionship

Some pets are also emotional creatures, and can sense if their humans need security and companionship, especially for older people who live alone. Pets would know when you feel sad and lonely, making themselves available for cuddling and petting to ease your burden.

Increase Your Self-Confidence

Pets can increase your self-confidence, and they will listen to you whenever you want a conversation with them. They are good listeners and will provide you unconditional love without criticising you. Having this kind of relationship with your pet helps your self-confidence, especially during your isolation.

Photo, Jamie Street.

Meet New People

Pets play a vital role for people who need help when they feel lonely. Dog owners can casually chat during their walks. This creates great opportunities to make new friends and your pet dog as well. There are also many online platforms available to join some groups about pets and their owners. You will have the chance to meet larger groups when they set a schedule for live meet-ups along with the pets.

Keep You Occupied

Caring for a pet will keep you busy and occupied. As you provide your pets with their needs, you wouldn’t notice that you feel lonely during your isolation. You will find joy and happiness taking care of your pet, and they also reciprocate with love and affection for you. After you finished all your duties for them in a day, you would feel a sense of accomplishment with your daily tasks.

Photo, Alicia Jones.

Help People with Special Needs

Pets help people cope with isolation, but they can also help people with special needs, such as those who have ADHD, who may benefit from the routine and structure a pet provides. They can manage their pet’s role and responsibilities to keep track of time when it comes to their schedule for walking or feeding. Some with ADHD may get hyperactive, especially young ones. A great way of soothing their energy is by playing with a pet, walking a dog outside, or chasing the kitten around the house.

Autistic people can also get the same benefits from having a pet. People with special needs receive unconditional relationships from their pets, which helps them strengthen their social skills and build confidence. Pets can also help autistic children with sensory problems by integrating activities to help them be familiar with how things would feel against their skin or how it sounds or smells.

Pets can do wonderful things for people, especially in coping with isolation. They also feel our love and care for them, especially when we treat them as family members.