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Today’s health and beauty buzz is on the benefits of having animals in our lives. My animals have always brought enormous joy into my life. My family smile indulgently at me shaking their heads as I engage my poodle in conversation. Last year our darling little sossie dog died. It left a void in my heart. There are few people who have lost a beloved pet and not wept bitter tears. Pets keep us human and can influence how we feel about life and ourselves.
Our pets provide us with unconditional love and affection. They are always happy to see us no matter how grumpy, sad, bad tempered or irritated we may feel.
Interaction with animals enhances our quality of life and our general sense of well being.
Studies have shown that there are many health benefits reaped by interacting with animals. Blood pressure can be lowered, high cholesterol reduced and depression relieved.
Animals can help us cope emotionally and socially.
Children often turn to their pets for comfort in times of need. Pets teach children responsibility and empathy and often provide a sense of security. They are non judgmental or critical often bringing calmness into a child’s world.
Grieving adults also find solace by turning to their pets for comfort. Love is one of the best medicines and pets are one of the best sources. Many widowed people die from broken hearts. Pets can help us cope with the grief, pain, fear and loneliness accompanying the loss of a loved one.
Pets can help us to relax and divert our attention away from problems.
Touch is so important to our physical and emotional well being. Many people live alone and having a dog or cat to cuddle and stroke can fill a void.
Pets provide companionship and decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation especially in the elderly. Everyone needs to feel needed and taking care of a pet can bring a sense of purpose into the lives of many and boost self esteem.
People are more likely to smile at you, strike up conversation and reach out to you if you are out with your pet.
Pets can keep you active and bring some consistency to your life.
Animals are widely used in assisted therapy.
Pets, such as professionally trained guide dogs for the blind or handicapped offer obvious benefits.
Children who suffer from autism often connect better with animals. First learning to connect with a dog or a cat can pave the way for connecting with people.
Pets can have a calming and soothing effect on an anxious child.
Abused and neglected children can often communicate better with animals.
Whilst dogs are most commonly used for animal assisted therapy, horses are said to have an affinity for healing. Horses are large and can be intimidating. This apparently allows the participant to gain trust with the animal and get immediate feedback from the horse. Therapists say that kids, who shun emotional and physical closeness with people, can often accept it from a horse. The bond develops mutual trust, respect and affection.
Cats are also widely used in therapy and are said to stimulate positive moods and memory in the elderly and responsibility and hygiene in children.
Rabbits are used due to their social nature.
Dolphin assisted therapy is used in Florida and Hawaii and also countries such as Mexico, Russia, China and Japan. Children interact with a captive dolphin in the water whilst performing simple tasks. It is a highly controversial method.
Dogs used in search and rescue save human lives.
Cadavers are dogs used to find human remains so they can be returned to the family for closure.
Dogs help with locating abduction victims and can track their scent for many miles.
Dogs are used to sniff out bombs before a tragedy occurs.
Dogs can squeeze into small places that a human cannot.
Animals have been known to save their human families from house fires by repeatedly making a noise. Potential drowning victims have been rescued by dogs pulling them to shore. Dogs have attacked snakes to protect children, bitten intruders and attackers, rescued people trapped under snow, rubble and from the devastation left by other natural disasters.
There is some controversy over police training dogs for human benefits. Brutal training methods are not unheard of but for the most part, dogs are trained using positive reinforcement.
Be kind to your 4 legged friends. Make sure they are well fed, given fresh water daily and protected from the elements. Spay and neuter them. Millions of unwanted animals are abandoned on highways, treated cruelly, neglected and left in dumpsters to die. Adopt a pet rather than breed more.
Support your local SPCA or animal shelter. Donate used towels, blankets, pet food and supplies. They rely on volunteers so visit a shelter and take a dog out for a walk in the fresh air, making a difference in that animal’s life. The staff can help you select a dog you will be able to handle. If you are a cat lover, take a cat out of its cage and give it some stimulation and affection.
Animals can be very costly and this should be considered carefully prior to adopting or purchasing a pet. The cost of veterinarian visits, inoculations, grooming and medications can mount up quickly. Animals need to be taken care of when you travel either at a kennel or by hiring a pet sitter to come into your home at least twice a day to feed and walk your pet. This is an expensive undertaking. If you have no family members who could help out, try to find a trust worthy responsible teen in your neighborhood who is anxious to make some extra money. Select one whose parents will make sure they don’t forget about your pet!
Teach your children from a very early age to treat animals with respect and kindness.
Stay healthy, happy and safe.
This policy is subject to change at any time.
I am great thankful to you for sharing this information with us . It is very nice information about pets health. drontal
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