We sometimes forget how much animals help people and even when we greatly love the pets and animals we care for, it's all too easy to take them for granted. We can forget that they, too, care for us.
The truth is, animals help humans in so many ways. For example, you've probably heard about the idea of pets for therapy. Whether dogs, cats, horses, or other animals, pets can be beneficial to our health both via animal-assisted therapy schemes and also though simply sharing your life with a companion animal.
I'm going to share with you some of the ways in which animals help people. And, so that we in turn can help the animals who don't have loving homes, I'm sharing advertising revenue for this page with animal charities.
Photo by patti haskins, kindly shared on Flickr under Creative Commons attribution license.
CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
A Summer Sunshine Award for Charity Cats and Dogs bring Comfort Animal Assisted Therapy with Cats and Do... Therapy Dogs in the News Could your Dog be a Therapy Dog? Other Animals Help Too! More
A Summer Sunshine Award for Charity
Thanks for your votes!
This was an official Summer Sunshine Award entry.
In other words, thanks to those who nominated this page, TLC Animal Shelter will be sent $99 by Squidoo. That will feed a lot of hungry mouths!
Thank you also to Squidoo for their generous donations that made this possible. Find out more about the Summer Sunshine awards here: Sunshine Award or visit The Official SquidBlog to find the list of winners.
Summer Sunshine design shirt
Summer Sunshine design by StarBrightNights
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Squidoo's Summer Sunshine Award for Charity
It's summer (or close enough) and we at Squidoo always enjoy a good celebration and good causes. That's why this summer, for 60 days, we're giving away $99 a...
Cats and Dogs bring Comfort
Cream Kitten with Cream Dapple Dachshund Puppy
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Animal Assisted Therapy with Cats and Dogs
What role do dogs and cats play in helping humans?
We all know that dogs can become an invaluable companion for the blind and partially-sighted, and the 'hearing dog' for the hearing-impaired and deaf is also familiar. However, this is just the beginning of a long list of roles that animals can play in helping humans who are emotionally damaged or physically impaired in some way.
Here are some of the ways in which cats and dogs help humans in need:
Working with abused children and women -- e.g. Katie the Golden Retriever is a ray of sunshine in the lives of residents of a domestic abuse shelter.
Helping to ease the fears of patients in hospitals -- e.g. Maverick the Yellow Lab is a gently reassuring presence at the bedsides of stroke victims.
Being a friend to HIV/AIDS patients and giving them a positive focus -- e.g. Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) helps those with disabling illnesses to obtain the companionship a cat or dog can bring.
Forming a bond with children with autism -- e.g. Clover, an animal shelter cat, became a patient and loving companion for a small autistic boy, and was the one member of the family he could relate to.
Comforting the elderly and working with Alzheimers patients, helping them to access emotions and memories. -- e.g. Lilly, an orange-white long-haired cat, has brought great comfort in a time of pain and emotional distress to a terminally ill patient.
(The most famous nursing home cat is Oscar who is said to have predicted the deaths of many elderly patients.)
Therapy Dogs in the News
The latest on pooches who help people
Airport therapy dogs take the stress out of travel
There's a new breed of airport dog. They aren't looking for drugs or bombs ? they are looking for people who need a buddy, a belly to rub or a paw to shake. ?His job is to be touched,? volunteer Kyra Hubis said about Henry James, her 5-year-old golden ...
Prince yearbook photo: Portage High School therapy dog gets in the yearbook ...
To celebrate Prince, a golden retriever who works as a therapy dog in the guidance office at Portage High School, the school made him a member of the graduating class. Prince retired this year, and as a parting gift, the 9-year-old had a professional ...
Therapy dog retires after 14 years of soothing school jitters
Teaka the dog is retiring after 14 years of going to school with her owner, elementary school teacher Page Dilts. Teaka is a trained therapy dog, and has helped children with reading, speech, feelings and more, according to school officials. Buy Photo ...
Therapy dog's retirement honored in Indiana high school yearbook
(ABC News) -- A beloved comfort dog retiring from his duties at an Indiana high school can now count himself among the members of the school's 2013 graduating class. Prince, a golden retriever who worked as a therapy dog at Portage High School in ...
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Could your Dog be a Therapy Dog?
Here's how!
Here's a guide to training your dog to be able to bring comfort and healing to others. Based on personal experiences, the book covers the key issues of dog therapy.
Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others
Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others
by Kathy Diamond Davis
This excellent guide to therapy dog work currently has a 5 star average rating on Amazon.com from 16 happy customers.
It covers things such as suitability of dog (and owner!) for therapy work, a step by step guide to training, advice on conducting an effective therapy visit, the benefits of animal therapy, and more.
Read customer reviews of Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others on Amazon.com.
Buy Now
Other Animals Help Too!
Pigs in nursing homes and ferrets in hospitals!
While our canine and feline friends are much loved and appreciated for all the joy they bring to those in need, they are not the only animals to play a role in emotional or physical healing.
A UK nursing home has brought smiles to residents with a pet farm that includes rabbits and guinea pigs, a goat and chickens. But the best-loved animals of all seem to be the pigs -- residents find them a lot of fun and enjoy feeding them. What's more, the old folk have noted that their grandchildren are now a lot keener to visit too!
Horses are also recognised for their power to heal. These sensitive and intelligent creatures have helped many people with special needs to develop emotional and physical skills.
Ferrets might not come to mind when you think of a therapy animal, but sick kids in hospitals have found them a source of fun and even helped them to express their fears.
Pigs Put Smiles on Faces!
Sue Wee Pig Races
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What do you think of the word 'pet'?
Love it or loathe it?
Do you approve of the term 'pet' for the animals in our homes?
No -- it is not respectful to animals and suggests they are simply playthings
Yes -- it is affectionate and shows we love our animals
Not bothered -- it's just a word after all
Vote Show the poll results
Happiness Comes in Small Packages
Cute Long Hair Guinea Pig In Tunnel Toy
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Health Benefits from Pets in our Homes
Animal companions help in all areas of life
Animal-assisted therapy is not the only way to experience the comfort of an animal's quiet and soothing presence. Any of us who gives a home to an animal can also experience the health benefits of pet ownership.
A cat's purr is a uniquely soothing sound, and the wagging tail of a dog can lift your spirits in times of trouble. It has been scientifically proven, too, that pets are a factor in lowering blood pressure.
Rabbits, ferrets, hamsters and birds all offer companionship. And many of us find it wonderfully relaxing to watch fish swim in an aquarium.
Horses Help Us to Heal
Bay Thoroughbred, Gelding, Cantering Profile, Longmont, Colorado, USA
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A Connection with Horses Helps an Autistic Child
The story of a journey of healing
The parents of this autistic boy discovered the incredible effect that horses had on him, leading them to take him on a healing journey to Mongolia. The father, Rupert Isaacson, has written a book about their experiences and has opened his own horse therapy center for autistic children.
Discover more about The Horse Boy: A Memoir of Healing on Amazon.com.
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Horses For Healing: autism, special needs and more
Helping Horses in the News
Riding Program Helps Children, Young Adults With Special Needs
After an hour of riding, they left calmed and at ease, thanks to an adaptive riding program geared toward serving children who live with special needs within the autism spectrum. The rhythm of a horse relaxed Michael to the point he appeared to almost ...
Therapists turn to Hippotherapy to help Autistic patients
We also learned that each horse is specially picked for each special needs individual.James uses the horse that provides the most lateral movement. Movements that help stimulate motor skills and senses autistic children and adults need on a daily basis.
Autism on the rise: How animals are helping
The program is designed to help special needs individuals feel independent and confident, and this is done through tested and innovative methods using horses and "therapeutic riding," also known as hippotherapy. Hippotherapy goes back as far as 6000 ...
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So how about a Therapy Duck?
Have we gone quackers?
That's right... we've seen plenty of dutiful dogs and caring cats, some cuddly bunnies and fun-loving ferrets, even a therapy owl. But a therapy duck? Meet Peepers the mallard in this 2 minute video and find out how even ducks (in diapers) are helping people.
The Bar Bill
Available from Allposters.com
Further Reads on Pet Therapy
Different Aspects of Animal-Assisted Therapy
NOTE: Purchases made via links on this page will result in a royalty at no extra cost to you, of which 100% will be paid to TLC Animal Shelter.
Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs
Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs
by Sharon Sakson
Dogs have always been our friends and changed our lives for the better. But they may save our lives as well. Seamlessly weaving scientific research with compelling narrative, Paws & Effect tells incredibly moving stories of beloved pets who have supported their people through periods of ill health and other crises-with miraculous results.
Buy Now
Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog
Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog
by Melissa Joseph
Baxter comforts patients at San Diego Hospice and Palomar Pomerado Hospital in San Diego, where he lives with his owners, Melissa Joseph and Dennis Bussey.
Buy Now
Kitty Therapy: Getting by with a Little Help from Your Friends
Kitty Therapy: Getting by with a Little Help from Your Friends
by Sellers Publishing
Funny as well as touching, Kitty Therapy warmly proclaims the therapeutic power of kittens with more than 50 color photographs and surprising and inspiring words. Each photograph is a accompanied by a quote about love, friendship, and the sweetness of a kitten's kiss. Relax and renew with these furry friends!
Buy Now
Therapy Dogs Today: Their Gifts, Our Obligation
Therapy Dogs Today: Their Gifts, Our Obligation
by Kris Butler
Buy Now
The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy
The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy
by Marty Becker
Buy Now
Why Help TLC Animal Shelter?
TLC: Giving 100% Tender Loving Care to those in need
Tender Loving Care (or TLC) is an animal shelter based in Illinois in the United States. TLC have been helping animals since 1974.
Although they are one shelter among many throughout the world, it is the hard and sometimes thankless work of such shelters that can make all the difference to the lives of defenceless beings. In recognition of all those who care for unwanted, sick and abused animals, often starting with money from their own pockets, I am donating 100% proceeds of this page to TLC.
pet
Tender Loving Care Animal Shelter
TLC has served the community as a private, non-profit, humane society, dedicated to the prevention of abuse, neglect, and cruelty to animals. The shelter pr...
Hugtime
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TLC won $99 with your nominations!
Thank you so much to everyone who nominated this lens. With your help, hungry, sick and vulnerable animals are getting a little extra tender loving care from TLC Animal Shelter. :)
Show Your Support for Animal Charities
Shelters and Animal Adoption Gifts
Just click an item to visit the store of the designer -- all designs copyright of the respective Zazzle stores linked to below.
2011 Caboodle Calendar calendarI'm a Friend of the Animal Center shirt
All tails should have a happy ending.... bagAdopt A Shelter Dog Bumper Sticker bumpersticker
Adopt a shelter cat today printAdopt from a shelterI am waiting 4343 stamp
More Pet Heroes
Because Animals are Amazing
Find out what incredible animals are doing... here's the latest news.
Hero dog Kabang is 'ambassador of dogwill'
This, after Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat signed Executive Order 503-2013, making Kabang the official symbol of responsible pet ownership and advocacy against animal cruelty. Lobregat also granted Kabang's owner, Rudy Bunggal, a house and ...
Dogs Trust Honours 2013: Your Hero Pet and Hero Service Dog in top awards
The first is Hero Pet, which recognises the household dogs that have saved their families or changed their lives. Second category is the Hero Service Dogs, which celebrates dogs whose vital work changes the lives of people in the community. So read ...
Hero dog Kabang named ambassador of 'dogwill'
A year ago, with her snout and upper jaw torn off, Philippine hero dog Kabang was not exactly a pretty sight for many. Some say her face, disfigured from a road mishap, made her look like a character in a macabre film. Today, Kabang, named one of the ...
Kabang: Dog that lost half her face returns home to hero's welcome in very own ...
Every dog has its day, but few canines get a motorcade on their return home. Kabang, who lost half her face after jumping in front of a motorcycle to save the lives of two girls, received a rousing welcome Monday in Zamboanga, a city in the southern ...
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What Do You Think of Pets for Therapy?
Do your animal friends help you to feel better?
This is the best part of the page -- it's where you tell me what animals mean to you. People have left some of the most amazing comments here and if you have time I recommend you have a read of some of them.
I love to hear your stories or simply your reactions to the idea of pets as therapy. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share.
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