ESPTherapy animals can help lower blood pressure by encouraging relaxation, reducing stress hormones like cortisol, and boosting feel-good neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and endorphins. Interacting with them—through petting, holding, or presence—calms the nervous system, decreases heart rate, and provides emotional comfort, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce anxiety.
Key ways Therapy Animals Lower Blood Pressure:
• Physiological Stress Reduction: Petting an animal lowers cortisol levels and increases oxytocin (the "love hormone"), which actively reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
• Reduced Cardiovascular Reactivity: Studies show that interacting with pets leads to lower blood pressure and heart rate responses to stress.
• Physical Activity Boost: For dog owners or those engaging with active therapy animals, regular walking and play increase physical activity, improving overall heart health.
• Psychological Comfort: The presence of a therapy animal reduces loneliness and depression, which are linked to higher stress levels and blood pressure.
• Immediate Calming Effects: Even short, 10-minute sessions with therapy dogs can decrease anxiety, pain, and, consequently, blood pressure in high-stress settings like hospitals.
If you would like to learn more about Pet Therapy and even meet some of our four-legged therapists, join us at the Cancer Help Center for our next Pet Therapy Session, March 10 at 10AM. The class is free and open to all but since space is limited, it is best to make a reservation here: www.canccerhelpcenter.org/events
