PET THERAPYTips on how to keep your pet emotionally healthyThere is no doubt that taking on the responsibility of caring for any animal requires both a deep sense of commitment and a resounding passion for life! The benefits that arise from animal companionship has for centuries been common knowledge, we have all heard the phrase “Dog is mans best friend", and if you have ever had the opportunity to befriend a dog, you will surely attest to its truth.
Besides the physical needs, that may differ extensively depending on species and breed, there are other important factors to pet care that must be considered. Often pet owners attribute destructive or aggressive behaviour to breed or character, however this is not always the case, and in many instances can be directly correlated to the animals environment or the post effects of trauma.
Sharing your life, family and home with a pet can be rewarding, in terms of how we as humans benefit both emotionally and physically just by having them around. How often though have you considered the emotional state of your loving pet? No need to despair, here are a few quick pointers to help ensure your canine companion or feline friend enjoy the best in physical and emotional health that you as their guardian can offer.

Animals typically respond to the manner of interactions they receive, in layman's terms it simply means that the nature and tone of voice commands have a significant effect on your pets response. Many pets that are often subjected to loud and aggressive commands, instinctively they would either display submissive behaviour, or in rare cases resort to instinct and take on an aggressive and defensive stance. Communication is key, and the fundamental element in this regard is trust.

Animals like humans are complex emotional beings and it stands to reason that just as we react to unpleasant circumstance so they do too. Integrating your pet into normal family life from the word go is an important principal step in cultivation a sound emotional balance between species.

Establishing a standard of interaction based on mutual trust can, and will provide the canvas by which to paint a lifelong friendship. Calm and reassuring tones coupled with firm. yet singular clear commands provide both pet and owner with a defined and acceptable means of basic communication.
As pet owners bond to their pets so to do our believed four legged friends develop deep ingrained social connections with their owners.
Spending time together is by far the easiest and most rewarding aspect of having a pet and can improve emotional and physical wellbeing for both parties. Some of the best listeners are our pets and the tone and resonance of your voice will assist in building that bridge of trust. By providing a safe and stimulating environment you can ensure that your pets mind and body are actively developing, helping to curb bad behavioural patterns like chewing, clawing and self mutilation.

Adverse environmental factors play a pivotal role in stability and in social behaviour patterns.

Regular veterinary visits and maintaining your pets physical health plays a big part in his or her state of mind. A sickly pet will not have the desire to interact and may look as if he or she is “depressed”. A healthy pet is a happy pet, and by providing them with sufficient medical care gives you the ability to correct any potential problems and either alleviate or treat them helping to maintain that healthy emotional state.
Dedicate time and make an effort to spend that time constructively with your pet.
It is far too often we expect to see changes in our critters based on the human construct of time, each animal is unique both in character and preferences. Consistent and positive interaction both verbally and physically can improve the emotional state of humans and is very true when it comes to our pets.
When we bring a pet into our lives it becomes an investment for both pet and human. The relationship that will manifest is largely dependant on the depth of commitment, and an understanding that animals are not toys or part time participants in our lives, but rather complex creatures, requiring the same level of care that we as humans enjoy physically and emotionally.