Pet Project
Six Kidney Patients Share Uplifting Facts About Their Furriest Family Members
Being a kidney disease patient sometimes requires a lot of assistance and attention — from doctors, care teams, friends, families, and even organizations. But what if, at times, what you really need is a pair of floppy listening ears? Or someone small and furry to keep you company?
According to researchers, medical experts, academic institutions, veterinary organizations, and even the Center for Disease Control, there are many emotional and physical benefits that come with owning a pet. Animal friends can help lower heart rates, stress, and blood pressure1. They can provide opportunities for exercise and socialization. They give and receive affection and offer emotional support. Plus, they’re awfully darn cute.
We don’t need scientific experts to tell us that pets make wonderful companions and often provide the prrrrrrfect dose of “therapy” at the tail end of a long day. In this edition of Atlas, our Patient Advocates take a “paws” to discuss how their four-legged family members make life better.
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ChelseaNow transplanted, former NxStage user and HHD patient“I felt all my pets were guarding me in their own way, especially since I was treating solo,” Chelsea recalls. My orange cat, Cosmo, would lay nearby while I was treating and keep me company. Our black Labrador retriever, Leah, would guard the door, and Rupert the Yorkshire terrier would be laying at my feet. Jade, our gray Maine coon cat, who is now deceased, would always sit in the window and soak up the sun.”
*Be sure to keep pets away from equipment to prevent damage that may lead to poor system performance.
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html
