Pet Goddess

Although the idea of the therapeutic value of pets for elderly people has widespread appeal and endorsement from the media, there have been few scientific investigations that actually link the presence of companion animals to changes in physical or mental health status.

In a 1984 review paper, authors Beck and Katcher (1984) concluded that most studies had either no impact,  or demonstrated only small health gains.

Designing and conducting scientifically valid intervention research about the possible influence of pets on elderly people who live in nursing homes is exceptionally difficult.

In contrast, a study looking at physiological responses of healthy young people is far easier to carry out, and does not have the ethical concerns inherent in giving something to one group of elderly people but not to another.

Perhaps as a consequence of this difficulty, over the past decade a shift in research approach appears to have occurred. Investigators have begun to place increased focus on understanding how pets may contribute indirectly to health by being part of a positive nursing home environment, rather than on how pets can be independently related to improved health.

One such study (Winkler, Fairnie, Gericevich, & Long, 1989) looked at the impact of a resident dog on social interactions among and between residents and staff of a nursing home and found that the introduction of a resident pet acted as a catalyst for social interaction. The increased social behavior, however, was short-lived and disappeared within three months.

Fick (1993) also explored social interactions, but only among nursing home residents in a group occupational therapy setting.
In this study the presence of the dog had a positive effect as an adjunct to another therapy and was associated with a significant difference in verbal interactions.

Continues in Companion Animals and Elderly People-the health benefits  Part 2

Posted April 13, 2008 Comments(0)

Pet Adoption essentials
If you feel you are already an experienced pet owner, then by all means wade in with both feet.  Just go to a local pet shelter and ask them to show you what they have available for adoption. They will then give you the information needed to adopt the pet of your choice.

Just make sure that the pet has been thoroughly vetted before they leave the shelter–we ended up with one who had not been spayed, went into heat a week later, and then, a year later, required emergency surgery for an infected uterus.

Make sure you ask thorough health questions, especially if you have any other pets in the house. You don’t want to bring anything contagious in with the shelter pet you are adopting.

You also don’t want to be landed with any vets bills, which have increased in recent years. They should be covered for all of the basic shots. If you adopt a pup or young dog who will need to be spayed or neutered when old enough, you will most likely be given a certificate for a free spay or neuter at the vet of your choice when they are the right age.

You might also wish to ask about pet insurance while you are on the subject. Many of them come with at least a month’s worth of insurance just in case they miss some health problem at the shelter, and for a small amount of money per month you can keep paying the premiums yourself. This can add up to a big savings over the lifetime of the animal.

Just check to see what the policy covers before committing yourself. Often it will include an annual visit and all shots. Do the math to see if this is worthwhile compared to just setting aside the premiums you are paying each month. Of course, the insurance is more valuable for dealing with unforeseen health issues, especially as the animal gets older. you can usually insure them up to age 10.

We have also noticed that Progressive Auto insurance includes the healthcare costs of your pet if it is injured in an accident, since so many of us do travel with our pets, so that is also something worth considering.

A shelter animal is not only adding to your family, it is also taking one less pitiful animal off the streets. Dogs and cats are companion animals that need human help and interaction, so if you can offer a dog a home, especially now when economic circumstances are forcing people to give up their pets, that is one more rescued animal out of a shelter and in a happy home environment where it can thrive. One less being put down just because there is no room at the inn.

1794 words

Posted April 10, 2008 Comments(0)

You and your new family member

Whether you are hoping to adopt a cat or a dog, know yourself and your motives before you entertain the idea of pet adoption.

Some may want a friend, and a lifetime companion to have by your side, so they decide to adopt themselves a beautiful dog. Dogs can be your best friend and give you so much joy and happiness in your life.

Everyone has been attached to a pet at one time or another, so it is only natural to want a companion animal, so long as we know that we are 100% responsible for the dog’s health, happiness and needs, til death of the pet do we part. Think of it as at least a 15 year marriage. Rain or shine!

If this prospect starts to seem a bit daunting the more you think about it,
then a cat might be a better choice for you than a dog. Cats are comparatively low maintenance, and can be around for a very long time for you to love and take care of, compared with some breeds which are not as long-lived.

There are cat lovers and dog lovers all over the world, and in fact almost 67% of us households have a pet, and 53% of us are multi-pet owners,  so pet adoption is a very wonderful choice for many people.

We spend about $65 billion annually on our pets-and it is indeed a booming industry.  However, do not let cost dissuade you, for it does not have to be excessive. Your new pet’s needs are really quite modest-food, water, shelter, love, regular vet care, a bed or area they can look to as their own territory, and regular exercise and entertainment so they don’t get bored and thus destructive.

Continues in Pet Adoption Essentials Part 4

Posted April 7, 2008 Comments(0)

Pet adoptions fortunately happen all of the time.  If you are thinking about getting a pet, but have never done it before, luckily you can do your homework and research the whole process online.

Petfinder.org usually has literally thousands of animals ready for adoption from shelters all around the country, but each shelter has its own rules, some of them quite strict. For example, if you have ever been a pet owner,   you might have to get a reference letter from your own vet attesting to your suitability for adopting a pet.

The adoption fees can vary quite widely as well, especially if the shleter, or foster agency or breed rescue group incurred a lot of costs in getting the dog back into shape.

The great thing about the internet is you can research your pet without running around all over the place or going to a lot of different shelters. We certainly recommend that people do visit kill shelters–in fact, many states like Tennessee have only kill shelters, so every animal you take from there is one more saved life.

Rescue groups will often go out of their way to get dogs shipped from these states just to try to prevent them from being put down and buy some time for these otherwise healthy and happy dogs looking desperately for a loving home.

But adopting a pet is a big commitment, and it might be a good idea for you to do your research first on breed type, temperament, needs, and how it will fit in with your family life, as well as how high-maintenance it will be.

Not every dog at a shelter comes in as a stray, you see. In many cases, it has been surrendered because the person just can’t take care of it any more, so you might find that when you go online, many of these animals have a description and history.

At petfinder.org you will find notes about the animals insofar as they can tell, such as special health needs, if the dog is good with children or not, if it is good with other pets in the household, and any other information that they might have which they feel a prospective owner needs to know.

There is nothing worse than them finding what they think will be a good home, and then the poor animal ends up coming back to the shelter. So they are eager to give you help, advice, and information, to make sure you and your new friend are a good match.

So get online to do some research on pet adoption, or talk to your local vet, or the Humane society.

The internet has a great deal of information to offer you on any questions that you may have on pet breeds, or adoptions, so just take the time to check it out thoroughly. A bit of research and forward planning should make the transition for you and your new pet a smooth one. You will also avoid acting on impulse, seeing an adorable cat or dog with soulful eyes, and then getting it home only to discover the breed is notorious for being stubborn (like the beagle) or howling at the moon (also the beagle!)

Any vet should be able to give you all of the information that you are looking for on pet adoption, as will your local humane society. Often your vet might have animals which have been surrendered for various reasons, or still worse, healthy animals they have brought to be put down to be rid of them (it happens!)  You might have the opportunity to adopt a pet with no costs, to take home to your family for all to love.

Continues in Pet Adoption Essentials Part 3

Posted April 4, 2008 Comments(0)

Millions of pets looking for a good home

All over the world, there are millions of cats and dogs that do not have a decent home, or anyone to take care of them.

Many of them have been abandoned, but some may just have roamed off, away from their home and their sad owners.

Many of these animals do not have the kind of street sense required to survive for very long, and can be hit by cars, be attacked by other animals or wild animals, or be exposed to diseases from other wild animals, which can lead to serious illness or even death.

Many other animals never had a home to start with. They were born in the wild to an unspayed female, or, they were unwanted and thrown out.

It is so sad to see so many animals alone, for they really rely on human assistance and companionship for their survival. It’s very sad to see them wandering the streets, digging through the trash. Or worse still, being treated cruelly by the humans they dare to go up to try to ask for help.

Because many people are  not sure what to do to help, they often turn away from assisting a stray. But every animal off the street means there is one less that could possibly breed and lead to literally dozens more in its lifetime.

One animal off the streets also means one less who is needlessly suffering from horrendous diseases like heartworm or distemper, easily treatable by a responsible owner.

Many of these animals that do survive the streets will eventually end up being taken into shelters, and hopefully have the opportunity to be adopted by a loving family.

But the shelters are so full at the moment due to the economic crisis which has hit the US, that unless people come forward, many of these totally healthy and loving animals will not get the chance to be adopted. 1 year old animals in the prime of their life are being put to sleep simply because there is literally no more room.

Or the shelter has no more money–or both. All these animals have to be fed, housed, mediated, often spayed or neutered. Your adoption fee helps offset these costs. Some pets are even microchipped to make sure you can recover the animal if it ever strays. Frankly, it also keeps track of the owners to a certain extent, to make sure they are being responsible for the pet/s in its care.

Continues in Pet Adoption Essentials Part 2

Posted April 1, 2008 Comments(0)