Tag Archives: cats

Seniors benefit from pet therapy programs

A few weeks ago, I was watching TV and saw this interview with the senior citizen twin sisters from a Walgreens commercial. Because I’d never seen a therapy dog on TV before, I was surprised to see one of the women had a dog on her lap and to hear her say it was a therapy dog. It made her comfortable and allowed her to relax in stressful situations, like being interviewed in front of a live audience on TV. Many senior citizens are benefiting from pet therapy, to deal with everything from nervousness to illness to simply needing an animal friend.

Read more »

Posted in Human-Animal Connections | Tagged , , ,

Pets provide support to people with HIV/AIDS

People with disabling HIV/AIDS or other illnesses may feel hopeless and alone, but companion animals can help to improve their physical and emotional well-being. Research has shown that pets provide significant health benefits (PDF), and an animal makes things just a little bit easier on someone who’s sick by providing love and companionship.

Read more »

Posted in Human-Animal Connections | Tagged , , , ,

The Great American Smokeout is today

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day started by the American Cancer Society fourteen years ago to encourage Americans to stop smoking.

Read more »

Posted in Research | Tagged , , ,

Cats help to reduce stress, lower risk of cardiovascular diseases

If you’re a cat owner, you may already know that being around your cat can make you feel better. A ten-year-long study by the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Center has found that cat ownership and human health are intertwined, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. Owning a cat is proven to reduce stress levels, and even lower someone’s risk of a heart attack.

Read more »

Posted in Human-Animal Connections | Tagged , , ,

Glow-in-the-dark cats could be key to understanding AIDS

Glowing cats may sound weird – and you might be alarmed if you saw one in person – but according to a recent study in the journal Nature Methods, phosphorescent cats may help the health of cats and humans in the fight against AIDS.

Read more »

Posted in Human-Animal Connections, Research | Tagged , , ,