More Than A Family Pet | The Highland Heart

Listed under: Latest Issue, Volume-5-issue-6 - Aug-10th-2012 | Be the first to comment! ?

By Karen Keizer, The Highland Heart

People decide to buy a pet for numerous reasons, competing in animal breeder?s shows, to prove? who has the best of their species,? as a hunting assistant, or as a source of income but in most cases it is to provide their owners with companionship. This can be an excellent way to encourage family time around one pure source of never ending entertainment.

We love our pets, but how beneficial it is to have an animal around is still being studied. Studies have shown that there are many actual health benefits for people living with pets, such as lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and better mental health for those living with pets.

For one thing pets require our attention. Going for a walk, dropping everything for a game of Frisbee or hide and seek, going on a trail ride, and providing the everyday pet care encourages owners to interact and to get out. We benefit from the exercise and fresh air, that we may not seek out on our own. This does wonders for our physical and mental health.

In addition to being a major health benefit just by being themselves, pets also actively help and assist humans in many ways. Here are just some of the ways that pets are formally helping humans live richer and fuller lives.

Riding horses or horse therapy teaches balance and flexibility to the handicapped, and gives a sense of accomplishment and companionship to those involved. Some programs are related to the care of horses as well, teaching responsibility and horsemanship skills.

Service Dogs are amazingly adaptable to the needs of humans. Services provided by dogs for humans include: dogs that guide the blind, assist the deaf, assist the mobility-impaired, even alert epileptic owners that a seizure is imminent, so the owner can sit down/take their medications before the seizure strikes. Dogs can be trained to turn on/off lights, pick up objects, and even pull wheel chairs for those who are handicapped.

Police dogs serve as protection for officers, as well as sniffing out drugs, explosives, and other dangerous chemicals long before a human can. Search and Rescue dogs use their powerful sense of smell to locate people lost or injured.

There is also something known as therapy dogs. They are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas

Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. Their primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. Many dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audience or by playing carefully structured games.

There is a double benefit for both for those receiving therapy and those who bring in their animals to hospitals and nursing homes. To see a nursing home patient light up when they see you and your dog or cat (or other approved therapy species) come through the door is an unforgettable experience. It is not uncommon for the nursing staff to remark that the patient hasn?t spoken for some time or only speaks to some people ? yet totally relaxes, talks to, and interacts with your pet. A current trend in nursing homes is to adopt a cat or small dog to live in the facility. This is a wonderful experience for the residents on a daily basis. For elderly adults, who do not have adequate social interaction with other people, there are many physical and emotional benefits of owning or visiting with pets.

Let it be said for all the animal lovers out there, that it is not just dogs, horses and cats? that provide these benefits. Any animal that you can care for and love provides immeasurable benefits to both mind and body.

So with all this in mind, the local chapter of Ca-r-ma (Cat Rescue Maritimes) took it upon themselves to organize the 2nd Annual Pet Appreciation Day. It took place last Saturday at the Highland Crest Home from 11am ? 1pm. This event allowed the residents of the home to spend some time visiting with animals and their owners. The weather was perfect for this event and they had a wonderful turnout. The day was enjoyed by both pets and humans alike.

The Highland Heart would like to thank Ca-r-ma for their picture. For more information about Ca-r-ma and events like these visit their website at www.ca-r-ma.org/antigonish

Source: http://www.thehighlandheart.ca/more-than-a-family-pet/

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