Recent research suggests that having a furry friend can bring as much joy as earning an extra $120,000 a year or even getting married.
Today on the Morning Show, Sean Kelly and Mariam Serkal welcomed Dr Julie Gowthorpe, RSW to talk about the topic trending on social media: how pets, whether cats or dogs, can significantly enhance life satisfaction.
Economists have attempted to quantify this. For instance, marriage increases happiness by about $129,000, while owning a pet, particularly a dog, can provide a similar emotional lift, valued at $120,000.
Happiness, defined as a state of well-being characterized by positive emotions, satisfaction with life, and a sense of meaning, can be enhanced by the presence of pets.
Whether it’s the joy of coming home to a wagging tail or the calm that comes from snuggling with a purring cat, pets enrich our lives in ways we might not fully realize.
