Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, you name it, there is a pet for everybody. Heck, you could even have a capybara if you so desired. The point is, there is a large variety of animals to choose from, and each animal has its own unique perks and capabilities. Whether that be physically, or emotionally. 

Physical Health

There are many ways that a pet can help a human being, one of those ways is physically. Pet owners in the U.S have shown increased physical activity, loss of weight, and lower risk of cancer. 

There are animals that are solely meant to help their owners with disabilities and medical reasons. These are better known as service animals. The ADA recognizes dogs and miniature horses as the primary service animal, but they also give some credit to Capuchin monkeys. These monkeys are known for their intelligence and adaptability which makes them an incredible service animal.

Mental Health

Another way that pets could help someone is mentally. Around 80% of pet owners say that their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. About 40% of these people were cat owners. Cats are known for their therapeutic abilities, specifically their purr. When cats purr, it causes the human to release a chemical called oxytocin which is a hormone related to happiness and stress reduction.

Emotional support animals are animals that are trained specifically to help their owner in moments of panic or stress. People with high anxiety, distress, PTSD, and Autism might have emotional support animals as a way to help cope with their feelings. 

Most Common Household Pet in America

The most common pet in America is not surprisingly a dog, though what may surprise you is the breed. It’s not a Golden Retriever or a German Shepherd, but the most popular breed of dog is a French Bulldog. The French Bulldog originated in England as what is now known as the Frenchie. After that, France modified the dog, hence, “French Bulldog.” Then finally, Americans modified it once more to have bat-like ears. 

Most Common Pet at Alta High School

Finally, the big reveal. Alta’s most common pet is… a German Shepherd. Out of 100 students anonymously interviewed, 13 said they had a German Shepherd. Following close behind were Retrievers(12) and cats, specifically the Maine Coon(10). In total, there were 42 dogs, 35 cats, and 36 other (birds, lizards, spiders, etc). Students also said that after getting their beloved pets, they experienced these effects: Happiness, comfort, less stress and less anxiety. 

There are hundreds of different kinds of pets you could get, all with different qualities. Some quirky, some comforting, maybe even both if you’re lucky. No matter what personality type you may have, there is a pet for you!