The Bone Blog
Welcome to our new monthly Bone Blog – bringing you topical information and the latest news from the Charity!
This month’s Bone Blog highlights The Benefits of Having a Pet:
Dogs have long been utilised for physical assistance, with the first documented service dogs being used in 1863, during the Civil War in America… but what about emotional help?
Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly popular here in the UK and us pet owners know that our animals are a source of love, comfort and companionship. Their presence alone can help us relax and lift our spirits!
There have been a variety of studies to assess the emotional support our canine companions provide and we at the ‘Give a Dog a Bone… and an animal a home’ charity certainly don’t need convincing about the many benefits!
The Society for Companion Animal Studies was founded in Scotland in the late 1970s and this organisation have spent the past 30 years researching the health and well-being benefits of human-companion animal interactions.
Their studies have proven a number of benefits for those ‘older’ people who interact with a pet companion, including:
- An increased perception of well-being
- A reduction in verbal aggression and anxiety in people with Alzheimer’s
- A reduction in blood pressure due to the presence of an animal – particularly when stroking an animal
The National Centre for Health Research found that having a dog in the same room lowered blood pressure better than taking a popular type of blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor), because the rhythm of petting or grooming an animal is comforting!!
Oxytocin – the hormone related to stress and anxiety relief – is released, helping to reduce blood pressure and lower your levels of cortisol.
And, according to the Mayo Clinic, animal-assisted therapy can also help healing and lessen depression and fatigue!
At ‘Give a Dog a Bone… and an animal a home’ we know from first-hand experience that animals have a positive effect on the wellbeing of their owners, so here are our top benefits to ‘older’ people having a pet:
- Provides companionship and fights loneliness
- Gives a sense of purpose and a feeling of being needed
- Creates routine in a day
- Gives a sense of security and stability
- Encourages physical activity and therefore well-being
- Can ease the loss of a loved one
- Reduces stress
- Helps with depression and anxiety.
….and quite simply – an animal allows you to love and feel loved!!
The Latest News
We will be holding a Psychic Night Fundraiser at the Redhurst Hotel in Glasgow on the 02 June.
Come along and show your support or donate a raffle prize!
Keep in Touch
Facebook: https://bit.ly/1T2OvQO
Twitter: @giveadogaboneN
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Email: Louise@giveadogabone.net
Tel: (07969) 742858
