Pets Provide Better Human Health and Wellness and Reduce Healthcare Costs
(Pittsburgh, PA) September, 2009: The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) has raised awareness of the value of pets, and pet health insurance, by designating September as National Pet Health Insurance Month. Pet health insurance provides a financial safety net for pet owners, and often gives them the ability to provide a higher level of care to their ill or injured pets. Every day, pet health insurance spares pet owners the excruciating decision to limit veterinary care for beloved pets, or even to euthanize them, due to economic limitations. As pet owners consider health insurance for their pets, they might think of it in the context of their own health. Research shows that humans with a puppy, kitten, dog, or cat in their home enjoy a measurable improvement in health, and in fact spend less on their own healthcare.
Documented studies on human health suggest that pet ownership bestows the following benefits: Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, Higher survival rates from heart attacks, Significantly lower use of general practitioner services, Reduced risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children exposed to pet allergens during the first year of their life, Better physical and psychological well-being for seniors
According to the research by the Delta Society and others, there is not a significant social or economic difference between people who do or do not have a pet that adequately explains the differences in health outcome, leading to the conclusion that pet ownership itself is the primary cause of the positive benefits.
“At a time in which our society is looking for treatment alternatives to complement western medicine, research is consistently demonstrating that pets can have a profound impact on people’s physical and emotional health. We are excited to see more healthcare professionals and other leaders embracing the fact that pets can be a cost-effective approach to improving people’s health while enriching their lives,” stated Lawrence Norvell, President and CEO of Delta Society.
According to NAPHIA Executive Director Loran Hickton, "As the human healthcare debate continues, we know that the uncertainty of the current economy makes pet insurance critically important for the financial well-being of all pet owners. In addition to financial benefits, now more than ever it is essential to share the human health benefits of pet ownership. Our pets are part of our families; they make a difference and contribute to better health and lower human healthcare costs!” During September, NAPHIA is sponsoring a nationwide contest to select pet health insurance customers’ favorite veterinary practices from over 20,000 across North America. Pet owners are posting pictures of their pets, along with a story, at the NAPHIA website. The contest highlights the care and recovery of pets for whom pet health insurance helped to provide needed care. There are prizes for the pet owner, an educational grant provided to the veterinary care provider, and a donation to the pet shelter or rescue group of the winner’s choice. The National Pet Health Insurance Month contest page is http://www.naphia.org/pet_health_month.htm
Really great article about pets and the good they bring to our lives and our health.
We need more wonderful people in the group like you Loran, who get active. Feel free to post away :o) I will also be posting about group hosts also so if you are interested let me know.
