Philosophy and Debate Forum - Children and Small Animals

« Children and Small Animals »

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
Nov 27, 2009, 2:54pm

Philosophy and Debate Forum :: Philosophy :: Other :: Children and Small Animals

Author

Topic: Children and Small Animals (Read 172 times)

Darwin
Socrates

member is offline

Joined: Feb 2005
Gender: Male

Posts: 7

Children and Small Animals
« Thread Started on Aug 21, 2005, 5:00pm »

Studies involving other pets

It is a well known fact that having small animals for your children is healthy. It gives them a sense of responsibility and causes hormones in their bodies to balance, giving them a sense of purpose and liking towards life.

While Johnson doesn't advise patients to throw away their antidepressants and instead get a dog, she says animal therapy could be used as an adjunct to depression treatment.

"It gives us answers about who would be the most likely to benefit from owning a dog or how often someone would need to visit with a dog to get the beneficial effect," she says.

And it's not just dogs that are being studied for their therapeutic power. Currently Beck and other researchers at the Center for the Human-Animal Bond, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation and the University of Washington, are exploring how the "inborn attraction to nature" can help patients with dementia. For instance, people with Alzheimer's disease often suffer from weight-loss problems because they're unable to focus long enough to eat. But when they sit in front of aquariums with brightly colored fish, the elderly patients are able to pay attention long enough to get their meals down.

As scientific research continues to validate the importance of animals to human health, Beck expects to see more community funding for public dog runs, for example, as well as more widespread acceptance of animal care as a legitimate healthcare expense.He also hopes more insurance policies will begin offering coverage for services such as veterinary care for pets of the elderly, and that eventually pet owners will receive insurance discounts similar to the deals given to non-smokers.

Just as we recognize that exercise is important to our health, it's becoming clearer that animals can also improve the quality of our lives, Beck says.

Link to Post - Back to Top IP:

Logged

God made me an Atheist. Who are you to question his wisdom?

Click Here To Make This Board Ad-Free

This Board Hosted For FREE By ProBoards
Get Your Own Free Message Boards & Free Forums!