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Animals Help People

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Animals Help People
Animals help people I wanted to prove something I know from experience, that animals help people in many ways. Sometimes people just think of seeing eye dogs or rescue dogs when thinking about how animals help us, there are many ways they help including: mentally/emotionally, socially, and physically. Okay let’s start off with the fact that pets are great listeners. People may go to their pets with their problems because they are reliable and do not judge the person. Feeling like someone is on your side can help a depressed or sad person feel better. People build a strong bond with their animals which can bring comfort and emotions to protect the animal and care for the animal almost as a child. This caregiving can give a lonely person a reason for living and something to look forward to. When a person is hurting, a gentle nudge of a nose or a lick on the cheek can let them know they are loved and someone cares. Companionship has a positive effect on depression and people over 65 have been shown to have fewer doctor visits for mental health issues. Animals also add structure and routine which keeps people mentally focused and alert. Parents teach children responsibility through having the children care for animals and even train them with basic commands. This also teaches anyone how to be more selfless as you are not the only thing that matters. This can lead to self-esteem increasing as the person feels like they have accomplished a task and in turn helped out the animal that needs a loving home. This is especially true of disabled persons, like autistic children. With autism and other social disorders, people do not have the ability to interact with others and sometimes no desire to interact. As we know now, social interaction is crucial to development into a healthy adult. Pets have an ability to bring help people be more social through interacting with others while walking your pet, discussing pet information in stores, and just getting


References: A Brief Information Resource on Assistance Animals for the Disabled. (2011, September 19). Retrieved from National Agricultural Library: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/companimals/assist.htm Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better. (2013, February 28). Retrieved from Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257041.php Bishop, M. L., Fody, E. P., & Schoeff, L. E. (2013). Clinical Chemistry Seventh Edition. In Priniciples, Techniques, and Correlations (pp. 438-598). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkens. Doheny, K. (2014, May 5). Pets for Depression and Health. Retrieved from WebMd: http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/pets-depression Landau, E. (2012, August 1). Dogs: A medicine for mental health problems? . Retrieved from CNN Health: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/01/health/mental-health-service-dogs/index.html Masters, M. (2014, May 1). Does Petting a Cat Release Endorphins. Retrieved from Demand Media: http://pets.thenest.com/petting-cat-release-endorphins-10269.html Mental Health Association of South Mississippi. (2014, 04 25). Retrieved from http://www.msmentalhealth.org/wellness-recovery-action-planning/263-pets-can-affect-mood-and-health-.html

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