MHM Magazine

Issue 1 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 21 MHM Recently, thought provoking articles are discussing rules regarding pets in complexes and life-style estates. The intention of this article is to explore, from a purely pragmatic perspective, how animals can and do play a crucial role in our mental and physical well-being. Being in nature is inherently healing. Throughout history, humans have thrived better in natural surroundings rather than in high-rise urban dwellings. This principle remains relevant. Thus, the popular attraction of eco- estates. However, in some life-style estates, pets are not allowed. This limiting rule can be questioned when taking a more researched perspective regarding the benefit of human-animal interaction. Well-being is a complex construct Well-being can be explained as the combination of feeling good and functioning well; the experience of positive emotions such as happiness and contentment as well as the development of one's potential, having some control over one's life, having a sense of purpose, and experiencing positive relationships. People experience well-being when they give and receive love. A profound bond often forms between a person and an empathetic significant other, whether the “other” is a person or an animal. The biopsychosocial model can be applied to explain the potential contribution of pet ownership to health and successful aging. Each realm of the model is inexorably intertwined constructing a holistic well-being for people. • Biological realm includes decrease in biological stress indicators such as cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate. In dealing with insomnia, often advice to a patient regarding walking the dog for physical exercise and stress reduction, can be a more attractive alternative to taking medication. • Psychological realm includes decreased stress, increased relaxation, increased external focus of attention and inhibition of inappropriate negative thoughts. • Cognitive realm includes memory, executive function, language function, psychomotor speed, and processing speed are found to deteriorate less over ten years among pet owners than among non-owners. • Social realm includes interacting with a companion animal providing social support as well as a source of bonding and attachment, all of which promote better psychological health Well-Being testimonies As a practicing researcher, I wish to give voice to some people with whom I have worked, who give testimony to the importance of animals in their lives. Illness narratives I live “alone” with a cat named Jeneroo, a companion who brightens my life. I have cancer, and over the last year Jen’s presence has ameliorated the heaviness that comes and goes with cancer. Simple tasks like cleaning litter or playing with her for 10 minutes lessen my mental anguish, getting me out of bed. The warmth and energy she emanates when next to me is consoling and healing. My life is infinitely richer for sharing my home with her. Cliched as it sounds, she is my angel covered in fur. Companionship narratives The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the toll on mental health worldwide. Initially termed 'social distancing'—before By Dr Gloria Marsay Educational Psychologist Research Fellow UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE THE HEALING BOND: EXPLORING PET OWNERSHIP AND ITS IMPACT ON WELL-BEING MHM | 2025 | Volume 12 | Issue 1 | The Healing Bond: Exploring Pet Ownership and Its Impact on Well-Being MHM