Members of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) are experiencing a unique challenge in their Navy careers. As George Washington quickly approaches the four-year-long refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period, a lot of work has to be done. Sailors are spending their days sweating through uniforms trying to clear all unnecessary equipment from various spaces throughout the ship. As the work day ends with cleaning stations, it can be difficult to find a way to relieve the stress of the day. Some service members hit the gym, while others may enjoy a more Zen activity like yoga to deal with stress, and then there are those find peace in their own home with their four-legged fur babies. This is life with pets.

Pets provide companionship and health benefits and can have a positive overall effect on service members' lives. According to the National Center for Health Research, companion animals can help improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rates. Children with animals experience decreased anxiety levels.

"I've had animals growing up," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Anderson. "After joining the Navy and going through those first couple of months before I was married, it was one of the worst times in my life because I didn't have that companion to go do things with. I would just go to work and back to the barracks, it was an extremely lonely time."

Anderson lives in a house with his wife, their three cats and a dog.

"The way my wife and I look at it, our pets are our kids," said Anderson. "We even have a bumper sticker on our car that says 'our children have four paws.'"

"Matzu, our only female cat, is kind of a trouble maker," added Anderson. "The two older cats are teaching her how to behave by swatting at her when she is being annoying. Orion is our fat cat. He likes plastic, but he likes to hoard it. If we catch him chewing on it, he will try to tear off a piece of it and hide it somewhere so he can play with it later because he knows we are going to throw it away. Percival likes to pounce at things. He will stare at you and then back slowly into a corner and then as soon as the other cats lose interest in him he will pounce.
Toby, my dog, is a Great Dane. He's a year old and 135 pounds already, but he still has some growing to do."

Anderson, who is a marathon runner, wanted a partner to run with. He found that partner in his dog, and hopes to eventually run a marathon with him in the future. They can currently run up to 10 miles at a time, which takes about an hour and 45 minutes. Anderson said Toby gets sad on days they don't run together.

"Toby is great for my pacing," said Anderson. "If I start going too fast, he will push me to the side until I slow down. It's fun to run with him because I get bored when I run alone, but when he gets bored he starts trying to weave between my legs and it makes me have to concentrate. I think he trains me more than I actually train him."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Thomas Grafton has two dogs that help him with getting house work done.
"Dogs make it easier to [be an] adult," said Grafton. "When I get home and want to do nothing, I can hear them whining and I know they need to go outside. So I get up and take them for a walk and that makes it easier to do things. I take them out, and then start on laundry and my other responsibilities. My dogs also comfort me when I'm stressed or angry."

Animals are often used to help with emotional distress. According to James Morrisey, a veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University, cats are very good at picking up stress in people. Anderson's animals can tell when he has had a difficult day at work and do what they can to help.
"Whenever I come home after a rough day, my cats--who usually prefer my wife over me--will all sit on my lap," said Anderson. "Toby tries to get me out of the house. He will start grabbing on my clothes and trying to get me to take him for a run because he knows running makes me feel better. The days when I'm calm coming home, he doesn't really try to get me outside."
While Anderson's pet comfort him and try to get him out of the house on bad days, Grafton's dogs teach him that being calm and reassuring can bring positive results in daily interactions.

"They help me control my anger," said Grafton. "When they start barking and getting riled up over a squirrel or another dog, I can't just start yelling or screaming at them to get them to do what I want. I have to be calm and coax them. In turn, that helps me deal with people because instead of getting mad, I just talk to them to solve the problem."

Animals play a role in the lives of many service members whether they are working dogs for base police or a companion at home. Animals have the ability to add to the lives of others. Anderson said his pets make coming home a more positive experience.

"I feel like animals give people a home," said Anderson. "If you just have a room it's just a place you live, but if you have an animal to go home to it becomes more. My animals give me something to motivate me to not just go home and sit and do nothing. Depending on how stressful the day is, taking care of them makes them happy and that in turn makes you happy."

Sailors wishing to adopt a pet should check their lease or landlord before doing so, and remember that pets are not allowed within barracks.

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