HOME ON THE RANGE The Best Companion
How Pets Improve Our Health and Happiness Feline Friends or Canine Comrades
Catching Up With Dr. Susie
There’s always plenty going on at home with Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff. In addition to their family of six, they also have 14 sheep; four alpacas; and cows, rabbits, and chickens. To round out their pack, they have cats and dogs, as well. In fact, the pack grew recently when the Hirsch family welcomed a Pyrenees pup named Greg. The 6-month-old is learning the ropes from the Hirsch’s
As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of
experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can
Buck and Fala the black sheep
9-year-old Pyrenees, Buck, and through firsthand experience and positive reinforcement from the Hirsch family. Greg will surely get plenty of love and pets, but he’s also there to guard the sheep alongside Buck, who is already a pro.
be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just
Dr. Susie says that Greg spent his first days in the sheep pen, but he was so small that he fit right through the pen’s squares and ended up back at their front door. Early on, the rambunctious pup was also a bit much for Buck, but the two have since adjusted. “At first, Buck completely ignored Greg,” Dr. Susie says, adding that Greg was ready to play and kept grabbing Buck’s scruff. “Now they are friends.”
what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The
Buck and Greg
daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives.
If you’re thinking that raising two dogs plus a small farm’s worth of livestock and running a veterinary clinic sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. Dr. Susie spends about 45 minutes each morning and evening doing chores to make sure the animals are fed, watered, and well. Though the word “chore” can have a negative connotation, Dr. Susie says, “I like doing the chores. It’s my time to myself.” It’ll come as no surprise that she also loves spending time around the animals and being outdoors. When pressed to pick a favorite, Dr. Susie named three — cats, cows, and sheep — but as you might expect from a veterinarian, she enjoys them all for different reasons.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .
Fala the black sheep and Buck
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The sheep in their pen
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