Tina GlennTina Glenn is the President of FirstLight Home Care of Guilford. She has over 40 years in healthcare and C-level executive experience of 28 years. She can be reached at 336-808-1351.
Pets come with huge health benefits. Caring for a pet can help relieve depression, lower stress levels, improve heart health, and help with shedding unwanted weight.
To know them is to love them. Most know the immediate joys that come with sharing our lives with our fur babies, yet many remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that accompany the pleasure.
Cats and dogs have evolved to become profoundly attuned to humans. Dogs and cats are able to understand many of the words we use, interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. A loyal dog or cat will look into your eyes to measure your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling.
Here are a few Pet Facts. Pet Owners:
- are less likely to suffer from depression.
- have lower blood pressure.
- have elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
- have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels
- survive longer if they are Heart attack patients
- over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors
Pierre is owned by Tina Glenn and Roget Berendes.He is a canine ambassador who goes to work everyday at FirstLight Home Care in Greensboro, NC
and greets visitors and staff there daily.
Pets also lead their owners to a healthier lifestyle.
Increasing exercise. Taking a dog for a walk, hike, or run are fun and rewarding ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.
Providing companionship. Companionship can help prevent illness and even add years to your life, while isolation and loneliness can trigger symptoms of depression.
Helping you meet new people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners, helping you start and maintain new friendships.
Reducing anxiety. Because pets tend to live in the moment—they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow—they can help you become more mindful and appreciate the joy of the present.
Adding structure and routine to your day. Cats and dogs require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. Having a consistent routine keeps pets balanced and calm—and it can work for you, too.
Providing sensory stress relief. Stroking a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and help you quickly feel calmer and less stressed.
Find the perfect pet. Local animal shelters are great places to find your next best friend.