Woodrow Wilson kept a flock of sheep at the White House. Jimmy Carter was viciously attacked by a rabbit.
Veterinary Medicine professor James Serpell addressed why these former presidents and countless other Americans keep pets, spending $37 billion annually to keep 90.5 million cats and 73.9 million dogs, in a lecture Monday night.
First, Serpell dispelled myths about pets, such as the idea that they are confined to affluent cultures, that only aristocrats keep them and that they are a modern phenomenon.
The ancient Egyptians "were so fond of cats, they did not allow the export of cats from Egypt," James said. "If cats were heard of [elsewhere], they would send ambassadors to buy and repatriate them."
According to Serpell, the leading two theories as to why humans keep pets are that humans are hardwired in such a way that "we just can't help ourselves," and that pets function as "person substitutes" and provide social support that is otherwise missing.
Serpell pointed to graphs showing that people with well-functioning social networks have been linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease and depression.
So pets "may indeed enhance your health and well being," Serpell said.
However, Serpell said humans themselves, not pets, are truly responsible for these benefits.
"It doesn't really matter what the animal thinks; it is the human's perception," he said. "If you think your armchair loves you, you should be able to get social support from it."
Audience member and Vet School student David Seelig agreed.
"As long as [the pets] tolerate me, I'm happy," Seelig said.
Serpell said the precise reasons as to why humans keep pets are still somewhat mysterious, however.
There have been "very few studies. It does not attract the research money." Serpell said.
Serpell peppered his talk, which was held at MarBar before an audience of about 30, with witticisms and jokes.
"This feels more like a karaoke bar, actually," Serpell began his speech. "Maybe I should sing something."
Audience members generally said that they enjoyed the presentation.
The talk "was light and scholarly," said David Diaz, a 2005 Med School graduate and owner of a dachshund named Hank.
Diaz said that Hank had no comment.
