I wake up at 11:00 AM, angry that half the day is gone, another day of living with chronic Lyme Disease- a disease that is merciless on my joints and energy level, among other things. I slept late because I didn’t fall asleep until 3:00. I feel groggy, as if a steam roller has simply run over me in my bed. And yet, I could still sleep for what feels like a week. An internal argument ensues, which I finally win, and drag myself out of bed. As my feet hit the floor, I realize with a sigh, that today is going to be a bad day. Everything hurts. I put my glasses on, and look down to see three pairs of liquid brown eyes staring back at me, waiting for my acknowledgement. I melt, and smile.
This, is the amazing power of animals. You see posts and articles all over the internet about different herbs, pills, and methods to help heal Lyme Disease and chronic illness, but many people have another type of healing agent right in their own home. And as a bonus, it’s cute, cuddly, and nothing you need to drink or swallow!
Pets have healing powers all of their own. Numerous studies have shown that within minutes of petting an animal, a person’s blood pressure and heart rate will go down. According to the Delta Society, even watching fish swim in an aquarium can have a similar effect. Another physical benefit is that of touch. All mammals, from humans to dogs to hamsters need physical touch. It is just part of our hardwiring. For many Lyme patients, myself included, the thought of being touched by others can cause dread. Even a touch meant to be gentle can invoke pain. Petting an animal can allow you to touch in a way that is on your terms, but that will still produce similar effects. As an added bonus, Fido will benefit as well.
In addition to physiological advantages, pets provide a myriad of psychological benefits. First of all, a 1990 study showed that pet owners in general have a better psychological well being. Going along with this, another study showed that AIDS patients owning pets had less depression and stress. It is an easy leap to tie this conclusion to other sufferers of chronic illness. Lyme, both the disease itself and the lifestyle it forces people to live, can obviously cause depression. Who knew you could cuddle your way out? Pets also help increase the ability to cope, act as major sources of support, and allow people to get through traumatic life events more easily (such as a chronic Lyme diagnosis).
Something I have noticed about my pets, is that they keep me from being completely involved in my struggles (although that does happen). Knowing that I have to get up to let them outside, for example, keeps me from wallowing in my bed all day. Even if I’m only up for 5-10 minutes, it’s still a 5 minute victory. They also make me feel less helpless, less like a victim. Having people needing to help you all the time can really drain your confidence, especially if you were once a fully functional, multi-tasking super-person, as I was. My boyfriend made a comment the other day, not meaning to be diminishing, but that caught me off guard and hurt my feelings. I was having a good day, and managed to get up, tidy my room, and fold laundry. He called and asked what I was doing at a certain time, and I told him I might be busy (chores take a lot longer now than they used to). He replied, “Well, what could you possibly be doing?”. And I understand where he was coming from. This ‘good day’ was rather a fluke in the midst of many bad ones, where I could virtually do nothing for myself. However, as a person who is used to being a powerhouse of activity, it made me very sad that someone could even think that about me.
It’s not like that with my dogs though. In this relationship, I am the caretaker. Even though we no longer go to obedience class, or even walk everyday (something that does break my heart for them), they still rely on me to provide food and water, let them outside, and give them love and praise. It increases my self-worth.
I also remember, that Lyme disease changed their lives too, and this is a fact that weighs on me. Just last summer they had walks everyday, occassionally went to the dog park or to a dog class, were played with on a regular basis. Now, they are much more sedentary. I live with my mother, so she is able to do some with them, but she also works and has her own life. I feel very grateful for them, that they have been so accepting of this. I promise them that when I am better, things will go back to ‘normal’.
Knowing all of the benefits my pets provide me with makes me think of my dogs as little super-heros, fighting off depression, stress, and high blood pressure! If you have pets, how do they impact you when you feel low? What struggles is pet ownership giving you while living with a chronic illness?
Sources: www.deltasociety.org