Manic Monday, Positive Thoughts and Quotes

You know you are having a day when the dogs won't leave you alone.  They know that you are stressing about something or your body is and you just don't have time to listen.  The role of pets to a person life can bring amazing changes of perception and what we see as important.  It's not all about the hair all over the place or the muddy floors after a warm day in between the winter thaw. 





There is something more to think about.  They can make us happier over all. My finding that I have read over the years in various books were that pets can help:

• Lower blood pressure and heart rate
• Boost your mood; it can take only about 15- 30 minutes to help a person feel more calm and relaxed.
• Detect cancer
• Cheer you up with a cuddle when you need one
• Be your partner to get fit
• You be more social
• Relieve Stress
• A child grow into a stronger person
• With other medical problems too, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Those with ADHD to relax besides help pull out that extra energy and play with

From the Healthline article Pettherapy, there are different ways pets can be used to help others.  The goals of a pet therapy program can be to:

• improve fine motor skills
• improve assisted or independent movement
• increase self-esteem
• decrease anxiety or loneliness
• increase verbal communication
• develop social skills
• increase willingness to join in activities
• improve interactions with others
• motivate willingness to exercise

 There are many people that can benefit from just a little loving from these precious pets.

• patients undergoing chemotherapy
• residents in long-term care facilities
• patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure
• veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
• children having physical or dental procedures
• stroke victims and physical therapy patients regaining motor skills
• mental health patients

Sometimes they just pop out of a box somewhere and put a smile on your face. 

Always remember that having a pet takes patience and love.  There can be a lot of up keep on them but sometime a little hard work to help you feel better may be all a person needs to have a better day!

References:
Giorgi, Anna Zernone, and George Krucik, MD. "Pet Therapy." Healthline. Heartline Media, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Pictures by Shelley "silverwine" Hitch
As always check with your doctor in regards to your health and animals. There could be allergic reactions.