The benefits of having pets

I realise that in many of my articles I speak about my interests, which for the most part have been academic-centric, but rarely venture into the different aspects of my life that I care about. A large part of my identity is that I am a pet owner and animal lover. I believe that having pets has enriched my life. I know that not everyone will share this view, but for those considering getting a pet and are on the fence, hear me out.
Pets can help you grow socially. They can be used to teach children (and sometimes young adults) the responsibility of caring for a living thing. This is perhaps the most obvious way that pets help one to grow socially. Once you have a pet, you have instant connection to other pet owners. You can meet people who share your interests at the vet, in the park, or even just on the street. Pets can also help cheer you up. If you are lonely, or feeling down, a happy puppy wanting to play can sometimes be just what you need.
Pets also come with health benefits. Although it may seem counterintuitive to some budding parents, exposing children to animals at a young age makes it less likely that they will develop allergies in the future, and according to research produced from the University of Wisconsin, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, children who are exposed early on to animals have stronger immune systems on average. Pets can also give great motivation to exercise. If you’ve wanted to take up jogging, but haven’t found the will power, an energetic dog can be your companion.
Of course, pets are a great responsibility. They need to be cared for with love, and they are sometimes expensive to upkeep. However, having a pet can mean making a lifelong friend. It’s up to you to decide if you’re up to the challenge.
On the note of treating animals with love, even if an animal is not your pet, you should still treat it kindly. If there are strays in your area, do not go out of your way to frighten, agitate or chase them. Yes, they might pose a health risk, but instead of trying to harm them, why not contact the Guyana Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals, and see if they can take them off your hands? And if on the flipside, you’re looking to get a pet, a good idea might be to adopt one of the lovely animals they have right there.