healthypets

Health Benefits of Pets

 A few good sites for more information on the health benefits of pets are below.

Health Benefits of Pet-Ownership Strengthens Human-Animal Bond The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people.

Health Benefits of Animals The Delta Society provides abstracts, articles, and bibliographies on the health benefits of animals to people. 

What is Your Pet's 'Real Age'?

  Have you ever multiplied your dog's age by 7 to determine his age in 'human years'?  Visit the website at www.dogage.com.  Based on breed, health, risk of disease and behavior you can get an indication of your dog's biological age as well as ways to decrease that age.  Good pet care such as exercise, a good diet, and maintaining a healthy weight as well as preventive care goes a long way to making your pet younger. Sounds like familiar advice, doesn't it?  For those of you with cats, visit www.catage.com.  Pets also impact their owner's 'real age.'  Pet ownership has been found to improve blood pressure, increase exercise, and decrease depression.  In fact, at www.realage.com you can determine your biological age ... and owning a pet helps decrease your 'real age,' too!

Pets and Your Health

The benefits of pets on the health of their humans are many.  From decreased stress, depression, and loneliness to protection from heart attack and a proven improvement in heart and lung function in those with heart failure.  

With all of these health benefits it seems that more nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other senior living facilities would view pets as an important part of the treatment team.  Let us know about your experiences with pet friendly senior living communities!  

How Humane is your Community?

How humane is your community?  The Humane Society of the United States developed the ‘Humane Index’ to provide a measure of how communities across America measure up in terms of the treatment of animals. They evaluated the 25 largest US cities related to pets, wildlife, farm animals and advocacy for animals.

Check out your city's ranking [or use the criteria to evaluate your community if it isn’t included in the data].  Use the ranking to develop a plan for improving the treatment of animals in your community.