Having pets has been shown to improve human health. Which means veterinarians, in their roles as pet doctors, help improve human and public health too. That’s according to Zoetis, who, along with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) it is introducing a new campaign to promote a growing body of research that shows how important that bond is to human health, and how veterinary professionals are key contributors to human and health. “We’ve learned that people actually feel better, are physically more healthy, and human well-being is enhanced because of a healthy relationship with a pet,” said Dr. J. Michael McFarland, group director of companion animal marketing at Zoetis. “We hope that The Pet Effect campaign will help veterinarians explain this bond and the health benefits it provides to pet owners.” The numerous health benefits of pet ownership include: lower blood pressure reduced risk of heart disease stress reduction decreased rates of anxiety and depression. Research also shows that being exposed to pets can help prevent allergies in children and build immunity. Human health professionals are also recognizing these benefits: A recent poll of family doctors and general practitioners found that 97 percent believed there are health benefits to having a pet and the majority had recommended a pet to a patient. A recent survey of pet owners administered by HABRI found evidence that veterinarians are incredibly important to the human-animal bond. Results showed that pet owners trust their veterinarian and that 61 percent of pet owners would be more likely to visit their veterinarian if they discussed the human health benefits of the human-animal bond. Zoetis wants to help veterinarians have this important “The Pet Effect” conversation with pet owners. The campaign features humorous videos, smart social media posts and other assets that veterinarians can share with their clients to explain the health benefits of the human-animal bond. The results of having The Pet Effect conversation can help both the veterinarian and the pet owner. Also, when pet owners understand that their pet’s health may be linked to their own, it may encourage them to bring their pets to the veterinarian for more regular check-ups. To learn more about The Pet Effect, visit the website.
