Embrace Pet Insurance Blog

The Human Benefits of Pets and Pet Insurance

Do you think that pet insurance is over the top given the current discussion about human health insurance in the US?

NAPHIA just put out a press release: Pets Provide Better Human Health and Wellness and Reduce Healthcare Costs - a rather timely topic these days. 

As a pet parent who doesn't work out very much these days (unless you count giving my girls piggy back rides from bed to breakfast table to get them up in the morning), this is the part I really like:

Documented studies on human health suggest that pet ownership bestows the following benefits: 

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• Higher survival rates from heart attacks
• Significantly lower use of general practitioner services
• Reduced risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children exposed to pet allergens during the first year of their life
• Better physical and psychological well-being for seniors

It's good to know that while I'm vacuuming up the cat-fur-dust-bunnies, they are good for my girls who will certainly never be allergic to cats!

Seriously though, the press release discusses the question ‘why provide pet insurance when so many humans do not have health coverage?'

What do you think?

1. Even the thought of pet insurance is outrageous - if they get sick, just put them down
2. People can do what they want with their money - none of my business
3. Pet insurance helps reduce the financial risk of having a pet in the family and is part of my "pet parenting" responsibilities - I wouldn't do anything less.

Feel free to comment...

September is National Pet Health Insurance Month

September 2009 is National Pet Health Insurance Month and the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is celebrating by wanting to put money in your pocket or that of your favorite veterinarian.

We like money in our pockets, don't we?

What do you need to do?

Either:

for a $500 prize to you: 
submit a story of how pet health insurance has helped you in a situation when your pet was in need of medical care.

...and/or

for an educational grant and a plaque of excellence for your favorite veterinarian:
nominate your favorite veterinarian by telling NAPHIA why their vet deserves this honor.

Check out NAPHIA's webpage on National Pet Health Insurance month for more details but just so you know, all submissions must be received by September 30, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST so get them in now!

FYI... As I'm on NAPHIA's Board, I'll be reading your stories and nominations - I can't wait to see them!