Mental, physical health can be positively affected by owning a pet
By Niki Laviolette
Special to the Tribune-Star


TERRE HAUTE - In the United States, one out of every two households owns a pet. Studies indicate your mental and physical health can be positively affected by owning a pet. Today, stress is ever present in our daily lives and animals have proven to function as buffers against this stress. A University of California study determined that people with pets are less affected by stress than people without pets. Just by petting an animal, you can reduce stress and blood pressure. A study in Australia by Baker Medical Research Institute determined that pet owners have significantly lower blood pressure than people who do not have pets. Often, people with pets have better physical health and experience a reduced use of prescription drugs.

Owning a pet also can reduce hyperactivity and anxiety. A study in 1984 discovered that watching fish in aquariums worked as well as hypnosis in reducing anxiety before surgery. Also, pet owners have a decreased risk for a heart attack. And for a person who owns a pet and has had a heart attack, their odds of survival increase from 1 in 15 to 1 in 87. Since both dog and cat owners are more prone to survive a heart attack, the reason behind it is less likely because of more exercise by dog owners.

Dr. Parminda Raina discovered in his Canadian research that elderly pet owners had lower health costs than non-pet owners and they were better able to cope with their daily activities. Often, elderly people say owning a pet gives them a reason for living. The physical contact with our pets allows us something to touch. Studies indicate the importance of touch for our physical and emotional health. Pets lift our moods and decrease the feeling of loneliness. It's also important to feel needed and owning a pet is someone to care for.

Research from the Medical College of Georgia and the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan suggests that children who are exposed to two or more cats and dogs in their first year of life have a reduced allergy risk. The study also indicated that it could lead to a better lung function in boys. Having two or more pets was linked to lower levels of immunoglobulin E, which has an effect on hypersensitivity reactions. Children who have pets tend to be more outgoing and self-reliant and less self-centered than those children without pets. A London Children's Hospital allows weekly visits from pets that help children overcome depression from lengthy hospitalization and unpleasant treatments. There is a positive influence for adolescents as well. Teenagers in large cities with dogs are found to be more content with life and experience a better relationship with adults.

Family pets create a sense of closeness and well-being. They add consistency to our lives and they give us something to look forward to each day. Most pet owners consider their pets to be a part of their families. The love and affection that are shared between an owner and his pet can render them healthier and happier. Pets give people a sense of purpose, offer meaning to life and help eliminate depression and loneliness. So, if you don't yet own a pet, get healthy.

Texas Responsible Pet Owners Alliance: Update on Dallas
PetHobbyist.com Site Blog

Texas Responsible Pet Owners Alliance: Update on Dallas
March 29, 2008
Update on Dallas, TX, animal ordinance

Code Compliance will be briefing Dallas City Council on the proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions Wednesday, April 2, 2008. There will NOT be a vote Wednesday. The proposal will then go to the Quality of Life Committee on April 28th before coming back to the full council for a vote. We will keep you informed.

The proposed Chapter 7 Animal Ordinance Revisions include:

- Mandatory Spay/Neuter of dogs and cats over 4 months of age unless the owner has a Breeder Permit which is very restrictive.

- $500 Breeder Permit required each year per animal and only issued for nationally registered dogs and cats whose owner belongs to a purebred dog or cat club with a code of ethics restricting breeding dogs and cats with genetic defects and life threatening health problems. All must be approved by the director of Animal Services. This means the extinction of mixed breed dogs.

- Ban on tethering dogs unless owner is present.

- Confinement requirements of 150 feet pen size per dog.

- Foster Care Providers must apply for a permit to keep up to 10 dogs, cats or any combination, which has special requirements that must be met.

This is a national "animal rights" legislative agenda to end all breeding of pets and is not written as a solution to Dallas animal problems. Having been proven failures 15 years ago, we now have a new wave of these anti-pet ordinances. Let's hope Dallas City Council realizes that no breeding means no pets! "Permits" are not issued automatically as are "pet licenses" and for a reason. A "Permit" means that the owner gives permission to Dallas Animal Services to enter their premises at any time without a search warrant. The Permit information is available to anyone upon request under the Open Records Act.

In 1993 Margaret A. Cleek, Ph.D, Beverly Cain and Sherry Guldager, M.D. wrote: "If someone has vowed to eliminate you, would you agree to pay a fee to obtain a permit, so they can more easily identify you?"

They also wrote: "If someone burst into your home with a shot gun, and swore to kill you, would you consider it a really good day if you talked them into shooting your right leg off instead?" No compromise! This is bad legislation that must be defeated.

To contact Dallas city officials to oppose these ordinance revisions, go to www.responsiblepetowners.org for more information and click on the yellow blinking "Action Alert" button on the home page. Dallas animal owners need your help. First San Antonio, now Dallas. Who's next?

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