|
|
Post by celticmagick on Jan 30, 2012 11:56:11 GMT 1
I just wanted to bring up a topic that I have found helpful in my life and want to share with others.
First let me begin by sharing my personal situation. I have been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder. Medications have not been very helpful and for years I was not doing well.
Now I'm doing great. You might think this is silly but ever since I got my two cats, I've had less stress, less anxiety and have even smoked less.
It's a proven fact that petting a cat or dog relieves anxiety. And the fact that it's a natural remedy is great too. I'm actually quite surprised that psychologists and the like don't recommend this technique.
Do you have pets? What do you think about this?
|
|
|
|
Post by watershield on Jan 30, 2012 18:07:20 GMT 1
There is some truth to wht you suggest. Many retirement homes up here welcome visitors with pets as we know that stroking a pets fur/hair stimulates various response centres in the brain.
You can see the change in a dementia patient while holding and petting a cat.
I have two cats and a dog.
|
|
|
|
Post by khara on Feb 15, 2012 23:14:46 GMT 1
I have three cats and a dog.
I don't know that I would be able to be happy without some type of pet.
One of my cats and my dog are both quite young. My other two cats are quite old and I am dreading the day I come home to find they have passed. They have kept me sane for many years now.
|
|
|
|
Post by theyd on Feb 16, 2012 3:41:16 GMT 1
personally i have two dogs and a cat but at any given time there are up to five to six dogs around. family pets and neighbors pets. I so agree with how a pet can effect you. second best medicine around
|
|
|
|
Post by henny on Dec 26, 2012 17:05:52 GMT 1
There are programs out there that involve the use of pets.Like watershield said they are used in retirement homes. pets-for-vets.com/about-the-program/www.akc.org/akctherapydog/There are other programs that involve horses and reptiles. For me I have a small zoo of exotic and typical pets.I wouldn't consider myself an owner but a caretaker. |
|
|
|
Post by watershield on Dec 27, 2012 3:46:19 GMT 1
My mother in law is now in a home with dementia.
Can't even remember her own name these days.
We can bring her out and she enjoys holding the dog. But we can't take any animals in as some of the folks are to weak and the home doesn't want the health risk.
Reptiles could be an issue in that sort of program as many of them carry Samonila on their skin. (mostly lizards)
|
|
|
|
Post by henny on Dec 27, 2012 19:24:31 GMT 1
They are using them for Veterans,who are not able to have dogs or cats in apartments.
|
|
|
|
Post by darkmuse on Dec 31, 2012 22:40:52 GMT 1
Years ago when I was a volunteer at the VA we would take some of the less violent one to the local petting zoo . Watch the change that came over them was amazing . Still remember one of them rapping his arm around a young alpaca and just crying . When we left he waved to it until we were out of sight . Fantasy how animal can heal our souls.
|
|
