WHY THE SINGLE BEST THING YOU CAN DO DURING COVID IS ADOPT A PET
WHY THE SINGLE BEST THING YOU CAN DO DURING COVID IS ADOPT A PET: (And, hint, it should probably be a dog… from a shelter)
In a recent post, I shared the neuroscience of stress and resiliency and specifically the top 3 ways that humans metabolize and recover from stress - particularly the kind of chronic stress represented by COVID-19. Read it here.
In reverse order here are the top 3 ways humans (and all mammals) recover from stress:
#3) Low-grade physical exercise… We metabolize stress through movement. If you get a dog (unless it is a pug), you are going to have to walk it – several times a day. In so doing you’ll be forced outside to breathe clean air and bring movement into your sedentary life. The body metabolizes stress through movement, so if you get yourself a dog (and don’t get lazy and hire a dog walker) and you’ll check box #3. (Also if you get a dog from a shelter or rescue, you’ll be giving that animal the very same gift – the gift of movement.)
#2) Social intimacy – spending time with people that love you - that you love as well. Well, do pets count as social companions? I don’t know of any pet owner that doesn’t consistently have “conversations” with their pet (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits). Also, if you do pick up a dog, I guess it does legitimately, scientifically become “family.” From Robert Sapolsky’s incredible book, “Behave” we learn this: one of the unique characteristics of mammals is that mammals of the same species, on the sight of a younger member of their same species, (and vice versa) will emit oxytocin - the hug hormone. This causes a protective and loving instinct. This secretion is obviously stronger for immediate family but is generally true for all of the same species. However this response is only within your specific sub-species - chimps don't have this response to monkeys, rabbits to cats, donkeys to horses... except for one, very notable exception. Around 40,000 years ago there was a bifurcation in the DNA of two mammals simultaneously in the fossil record. Tracing it forward there are only two unrelated species that exhibit this oxytocin phenomenon... man and dog (wolf). Man domesticated wolves about 40,000 years ago and in the process a DNA shift lent truth to the phrase "he's my baby" when talking about a dog or puppy.
#1) Physical intimacy – we, as mammals, are wired for touch - all forms of touch - from petting your puppy to being with your partner. I didn't see this one coming, but according to research, this is the number one way for humans to recover from stress. Through touch, we replace cortisol (which raises heart rate and gets us ready to fight or flee) with oxytocin, "the hug hormone". Consider a couple of studies – in the mid 90’s there was a study of rhesus monkeys that were separated from their mothers – they could see her, but not touch her – they never recovered. Or during the same time frame, Russian orphans were raised in orphanages without touch in Russia, and then adopted into the USA and other countries. Sadly, these children also had extraordinary difficulty in adapting to society. My final proof point is this – have you ever found yourself with a handful of puppies or kittens scrambling all over you with the puppy smell? Could you possibly be stressed at that moment? I think it is impossible. There is a reason they bring “petting dogs” into crisis situations – the simple act of stroking the fur of a loving animal melts stress away.
If you are quarantined alone during COVID, reach out to your local animal rescue or shelter. Right now all over the country and the world, there are loving animals just waiting to be walked, talked to, and loved on. It might just save your life… and it almost certainly will save theirs.
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PS: In April a first of its kind happened – every single animal from all Chicago Animal Control locations was adopted. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Don’t worry – there are more to be found. Read the article here.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/08/every-single-animal-was-adopted-from-chicago-animal-control-this-week-for-the-first-time-ever/