A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-30-03..."Where There's A Will"...Canine Helpers

People Magazine; Dutchess; Billie

[dutchess]

[dutchess]

Welcome. It's FRPet Day..and today we're featuring a wonderful "CanineHelper" program and the wonderful work they do! We hope you stop in and see us...and maybe even consider volunteering in your local area!

[GailA]

Good Morning FRiends

[Calpernia]

Good Morning to all!

Great article on Canine Helpers today dutchess!

My husband did a research paper on animal therapy.

Tidbits:
Animal-assisted therapy can effectively reduce the loneliness of residents in long-term care facilities.

People with borderline hypertension had lower blood pressure on days they took their dogs to work.

Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners in the study has 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owners.

Activities of daily living (ADL) level of seniors who did not currently own pets deteriorated more on average than that of respondents who currently owned pets.

Seniors who own pets coped better with stress life events without entering the healthcare system.

Pet owners have lower blood pressure.

Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners.

ACE inhibitors lower resting blood pressure but they do not diminish reactivity to mental stress. Pet ownership can lessen cardiovascular reactivity to psychological stress among hypertensive patients treated with a daily dose of Lisinopril.

Companionship of pets (particularly dogs) helps children in families adjust better to the serious illness and death of a parent.

Pet owners feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or sharing a residence with a dog.

Pet owners have fewer minor health problems.

Pet owners have better psychological well-being.

Contact with pets develops nurturing behavior in children who may grow to be more nurturing adults.

Pet owners have a higher on-year survival rates following coronary heart disease.

Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to just $1.18 per patient per day in new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri and Texas that have animals and plants as an integral part of the environment.

Pets in nursing homes increase social and verbal interactions adjunct to other therapy.

Pet owners have better physical health due to exercise with their pets.

Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%. This translates into 30,000 lives saved annually.

Dogs are preventive and therapeutic measures against everyday stress.

Pets decrease feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Children exposed to humane education programs display enhanced empathy for humans compared with children not exposed to such programs.

Positive self-esteem of children is enhanced by owning a pet.

Children's cognitive development can be enhanced by owning a pet.

70% of families surveyed reported an increase in family happiness and fun subsequent to pet acquisition.

The presence of a dog during a child's physical examination decreases their stress.

Children owning pets are more involved in activities such as sports, hobbies, clubs or chores.

Children exposed to pets during the first year of life have a lower frequency of allergic rhintis and asthma.

Children with autism have more prosocial behaviors less autistic behaviors such as self-absorption.

Children who own pets score significantly higher on empathy and prosocial orientation scales than non-owners.

Pets fulfill many of the same support functions as humans for adults and children.

People who have AIDS that have pets have less depression and reduced stress. Pets are a major source of support and increase perception the ability to cope.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Wednesday !!

[lonestar]

lonestar worked as a counselor at a camp for handicapped children and adults during summers when in college. lonestar says most of what you need to learn about what's truly important in life, you can learn from kids at a camp for the handicapped.

When I get big I want to pull a wheelchair.

Weinie

[Calpernia]

Ooh! Odie! I love Odie!

Morning Meekie Mouse :)

[Fiddlstix]

Good Morning Everybody.

You Know The Drill
Click the Pics J

Coffee & Donuts J

[iceskater]

Wonderful job, dutchess. I am very inspired by this story.

And Calpernia, all those tidbits just confirm what we pet-owners (or is that, pet-owned?) have known all along. I know my hospital has implemented a visiting pet program for the pediatric area. I understand it is pretty successful.

[LadyX]

This is one of the most heart-warming of things, the interactions of animals and humans of benefit to both.

My older son, MedProf, and his wife in 1997 adopted a 'retired' (kicked to the curb, about to be destroyed) racing greyhound. Waldo thrived with loving care, and Sandy in Colorado used him to visit nursing home residents, delighting the invalids there.

After his life ended, Jenny was available - a smaller female greyhound adoptee who rules the roost.

Hooray for Pet Days at The Finest - a calming and enjoyable change from the pace of a hectic world!

[deadhead]

Was an Instructor at a school for MR adults, also diagnosed with autism and behavior problems. On occassion, I would bring my pup "Lucy" to work with me. Sort of an unofficial "doggie therapy" It was great. This is so funny, sent a letter to a friend yesterday mentioning this. Feeling a little psychic today!

[Calpernia]

I agree! These programs should be utilized much more widely.

I've always had some whacky idea about starting a campus of sorts that housed elderly on one end, orphans on another, and a pet shelter at another end.

Then implement programs within the campus to interact the three.

[dansangel]

What a deeply moving story you have brought us ((((((dutchess)))))))

Anyone that thinks that animals are "worthless" or "only good for eating" are dupes. They are such an important part of our lives. Pure and simple.

(((((((HUGS))))))) to my sistahs and to my fuzzy brothah:

[[[[[{{{{{(((((LOUIE_WOLFIE_MAN)))))}}}}}]]]]]

[iceskater]

sounds like an excellent idea to me. You should pursue it - you might just change the face of "retirement living".

[Calpernia]

I don't think I could ever risk that type of capitol while my kids are still young.

I don't mind taking risks personally; but, I would affect them if it didn't work.

That will have to go on the back burner until they are older.

[FreeTheHostages]

[dutchess]

Yum...in the mood for sausage gravy today. Thanks!

BTW...loved you contributions to the quilt thread yesterday. You do beautiful work! (and the picture with Rocky on the couch is so cute!)

[FreeTheHostages]

Wow, I love this thread! A part of every one of my paychecks goes to a local group that does just this! And the amazing thing -- if you think about it in terms of cost-efficient charitable giving -- is how far your dollar goes. It really buys freedome for someone at a pretty good price.

[dutchess]

Hi Cal....Thanks for the information on how "animals" improve our mental and physical health. Our humane society has several "mascots" who regularly visit the area nursing homes. Actually one nursing home recently "adopted" two dogs and the residents LOVE IT. Someday you should "pursue your dream"..