Three ways you and your pet can make a difference during Loneliness Awareness Week 2021, June 14-18th
Pet owners know only too well about the joy that comes with living with companion animals. Our pets seem to be instinctively attuned to our emotions. Dogs, for example, aren’t only able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re also phenomenal at interpreting voice tone and body language. And like a human, a loyal dog will often look into our eyes to understand our emotional state in order to better read and understand our mood – sad, happy, angry, or stressed.
However, many of us remain unaware of the scientifically proven physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of human-animal interaction, even though there are reports from leading organisations about the positive effects companion animals can have on social isolation and loneliness. In the UK, The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) has been funding and promoting evidence of the health benefits of the human-animal bond for 40 years.
The impact of the pandemic on social interaction
As a consequence of COVID-19, we have all been encouraged to practice social distancing by staying at home as much as possible. Whilst this is vital to help protect our communities this has meant that many people have experienced social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
Older adults and vulnerable people with mental health conditions, and those who live alone, have perhaps been affected more than most by an increased lack of social interaction.
Whilst there is no question that these are incredibly difficult times to maintain personal relationships, there has perhaps never been a better time than Loneliness Awareness Week 2021, from 14th to 18th June to enjoy and share your pet with someone who might benefit from being with them.
Loneliness Awareness Week 2021
Loneliness Awareness Week 2021 is encouraging people to accept that we can all get lonely. We can help others, and ourselves, to feel able to reach out and learn to manage loneliness, with pets – an amazing support to many people who might be experiencing these feelings.
While it’s true that people with pets often experience greater health benefits than those without, a pet doesn’t necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. Watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce anxiety and increase relaxation. A guinea-pig could be ideal if you have limited space but still want to enjoy the many benefits of pet ownership and companionship.
With this in mind, if you want to participate in Loneliness Awareness Week 2021, here are three ways you can get involved with your pets: –
1. Catch up with a friend or relative
If you haven’t spoken to someone in a while, why not reach out and catch up with them (following the Government guidelines on meeting people in your local area, of course). You never know what kind of struggle someone might be going through, and your visit may come at just the right time to make them feel better.
They will probably be really happy to hear from you again, and they’d be extra thrilled if you brought your dog to share some joy or to join you for a walk. Added to which, stroking a dog may increase hormones that promote happiness and relaxation while reducing stress. You and the person you decide to visit will probably leave feeling calmer, and hopefully, less lonely.
2. Volunteer with a pet therapy team
One of the best ways you and your pet can fight loneliness in the world is to volunteer your time and provide comfort to those in need.
Hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other places appreciate the efforts of volunteers who visit the lonely. College students can also benefit from therapy dog and animal visits.
If you have a dog, for example, and they are calm and friendly, look into the requirements involved in being a certified therapy dog team from Pets as Therapy or other organisations. Your local veterinary surgeries should be able to provide you with helpful information and suggestions about organisations to contact.
3. Meet new people!
Dogs provide us with so many ways to interact with other people. If you see someone with a puppy in the park, at doggy day care, or even going past you on your walks, just say, “hello!”
The simple act of noticing someone can cheer them up immensely and if they seem comfortable with your greeting, try starting up a conversation. Chances are that you have at least have one thing in common – a love of dogs! This could lead to a new friendship, which will not only help with the other person’s loneliness, but yours, too. And your dog or pet, could make a new friend as well.
Will you and your pets reach out to others on Loneliness Awareness Week 2021? Please let SCAS know by sharing your photos and stories on Facebook and Twitter. Please remember to use #LetsTalkLoneliness and #LonelinessAwarenessWeek
SCAS is the UK’s leading human-companion animal bond organisation through funding research, providing education, raising awareness, encouraging best practice and influencing the development of policies and practices that support the human-companion animal bond. For more details check out our website at www.scas.org.uk