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Latest News
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The magic of therapy llamas
Among the animals that biologists refer to as charismatic megafauna – tigers, giant pandas and the like – llamas, which are not endangered, are among the few that people can safely hug, writes Jennifer A Kingson
Nov 28, 2019
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Mental Health Is Going To The Dogs: How Pet Therapy Helps Wounded Vets And First Responders
In the United States, more first responders die by suicide than in the line of duty each year. What is new and unique is a nonprofit New York-based program, Puppies Behind Bars, committed to mitigating and increasing awareness of PTSD. The organization trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for first responders and war veterans suffering from PTSD. Through six correctional facilities in New York and New Jersey, PBB has raised more than 1,200 dogs, bringing their love and healing to hundreds of individuals and hope and pride to their raisers.
Nov 19, 2019
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Wagging tails warm ageing hearts
Pet owners know that patting and cuddling your pet is one of the best feelings in the world.And there's scientific proof behind those feelings. Research from UCLA last year showed that animal assisted therapy for older people releases an automatic relaxation response, reduces the feeling of anxiety, contributes to the lowering of loneliness, and helps in the recall of memories. Physically, the study found that the therapy helps to reduce blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health, decreases the amount of medications, and reduces physical pain.
Nov 18, 2019
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Survey finds pets can sense their owners moods
According to a recent study, pets can actually help cheer up their owners.According to the survey from DART, 84 per cent of pet owners said their pet sensed their mood, especially when they were feeling low, and would actively act as a source of comfort during that time.
Nov 15, 2019
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Dog ownership helps reduce loneliness through increasing social interaction: research
A new Australian study examining the links between pet ownership and mental wellbeing found that acquiring a dog can make a person feel significantly less lonely in just three months.Published by BMC Public Health on Tuesday, the University of Sydney's PAWS trail followed 71 Sydneysiders over an eight-month period, comparing new canine owners with people who had no intention of getting a dog.
Nov 14, 2019
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Zoo animal research skewed towards 'popular' species
Research on zoo animals focuses more on "familiar" species like gorillas and chimpanzees than less well known ones like the waxy monkey frog, scientists say.Globally, fish and birds outnumber mammals, reptiles and amphibians in zoos -- but the study says mammals are consistently the main focus of research on zoo-housed animals.This "mammal bias" also exists in wider research, including in the wild, but lead author Dr Paul Rose, of the University of Exeter, says zoos offer wonderful opportunities to study other species.The study looked at the last decade of research on zoo-housed animals, both by zoo staff and visiting scientists, and noted the growth and value of such studies.
Nov 12, 2019
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Airport's furry ambassadors make travel a little less stressful
If you’ve traveled by air recently, you know that crowded terminals, security checks and flight delays can combine to create a less-than-ideal experience. But the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has a new addition to try to make traveling a little less stressful for passengers there.Through the SDF WAGS program, certified pet therapy animals and their handlers are now making visits to the airport terminal two to three times a week.The therapy animals and their handlers are part of Wonderful Animals Giving Support (WAGS) Pet Therapy of Kentucky Inc. The volunteer organization has provided animal-assisted therapy to the Greater Louisville area since 1999. The SDF WAGS Program marks the first time a pet therapy program has been introduced at the Louisville airport.
Nov 11, 2019
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Tips to keep pets safe and warm this winter
The Indiana State Board of Health released tips as reminders for Hoosier pet owners to keep their pets safe and warm this winter.
Nov 07, 2019
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Why senior dogs, often the last to be adopted, make great pets
Alice Mayn only knew a golden retriever named Lily for about four months, but the time they spent together was life-changing — for the dog, the woman and countless other senior dogs.
Nov 07, 2019
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Genes Keep You On A Long Leash With Your Dog
Researchers believe that our genetic make-up has a significant influence on whether we bring a dog into our house or not.This love has lasted for at least 15,000 years. That’s how long people have lived with dogs. They were the first animals we domesticated. But not everyone wants a four-legged friend by their side. Whether you want to share your life with a dachshund, poodle, or Labrador does not only depend on the experiences you made with these animals in your childhood. Love for dogs is also genetic, according to Swedish and British researchers at Uppsala University and the University of Liverpool.
Nov 06, 2019
