How often do we look at our lives and ask ourselves, "Am I happy?" Answers may vary, as there are so many possible ways to define actual happiness.
For some folks, happiness comes from helping other people — as in this touching story of how a simple balloon can mean so much to someone.
But for others, happiness is found in the love of those around them. Caring family members, doting children and grandchildren, and even pets.
Yes, that's right — pets.
Many reports have shown that owning a pet can help owners in many critical ways, such as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and their chance of having a heart attack.
And across the country, shelters and organizations like Pets for the Elderly are helping people adopt pets — and thus happiness — into their lives.
Scroll further to read more about this incredible organization, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
We all know that pets brings great joy to our lives, but studies have shown that it can also greatly improve health — especially in seniors. There are a host of health benefits to owning pets, including the lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Charity organization Pets for the Elderly Foundation aims to provide companionship to seniors through pet adoption. Since 2002, the organization has helped save around 57,000 shelter animals.
The foundation is headquartered in Arizona, but works with animal shelters all over the country.
Many reports, including ones from AnimalCare.com and the CDC, state that owning pets can benefit several areas of our physical and mental health. It can help decrease feelings of loneliness, and encourage seniors to go outdoors more frequently and to socialize more often.
Applicants have to be over the age of 60 to participate in adoption. All pets adopted out are over the age of 3, which is great, because by then they will have become more mature and settled.
Anne Godeaux, one of the pet adoption coordinators for the program, says that it provides low-cost adoptions. "That helps a lot, because then [the adopters] can go out and buy the food… and then the group pays the difference in the fees," she told KING5.com.
There have been several testimonies as to how life-alteration adoption has been. One man was distraught that he had to put his wife in a nursing home, but afterward, found a best friend in his adopted dog, Duchess.
Adopted pets give their owners a reason to smile, and to simply be happy.
At the end of the day, we encourage everyone to adopt pets. Not only are you saving a life, you are also bettering your own. Your mental, physical, and emotional health will potentially be greatly improved by welcoming a beautiful adopted pet.
The program currently has participating shelters in 29 states. Click here to find out more!
Please SHARE if your pet is a key source of your happiness.
