[News] Animals Really Do Have Healing Powers - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fasteddie · 07-26-2005, 08:33 PM

In ancient times, people once thought the Maltese dog had healing properties. They believed putting the longhaired white animal on their chest or stomach would cure what ails them.

"I think they just discovered what we know today, that dogs do have the ability to help us relax," said Carol Murschel, who runs a pet-assisted learning program in nursing homes.

Indeed, many professionals today agree on the health benefits our furry friends can offer.

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown pets are able to decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in people, as well as feelings loneliness. Animals also increase exercise and socialization opportunities.

Studies have also shown pet owners live longer than those without an animal companion.

Many of these benefits are related to lowered stress, health officials say. Simply by having an animal present, people can lessen the stressful effects of situations such as losing a loved one or coping with a serious illness.

Dianne Bell is the coordinator of Pet Partners program at the Delta Society, which trains volunteers for visiting animal programs.

"Studies have shown animals can act as a tool in treatment and individual patient care," Bell said.

Dogs have been used in rehabilitation centers to help motivate participants, she said. Animals are also employed to help children open up after traumatic events.

In senior homes, animals can reduce loneliness and increase social interaction, Bell said. One study found medication costs at new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri and Texas to go down from $3.80 per patient per day to $1.18 where animals and plants were an integral part of the environment.

"It does bring normalcy to that environment. Many have to leave a pet behind, and introducing one to the environment provokes people to talk about their younger days, maybe on the farm," Bell said. "It brings them out of their shell, so to speak."

http://www.auburnjournal.com/article...et_healing.txt

milliesmom · 07-28-2005, 01:20 AM

i totally agree with you, i know when i am feeling unwell all my dogs gather round me and make a point of staying close where i can stroke and pet them, and within a few minutes my spirits are lifted and i feel so much better, ive got artheritis and have quite bad days and my dogs know and they comfort me, i know a nighbour who suffers terribly with high blood pressure and bought a cat when her husband died for company she has no problems now with high blood pressure and its all down to her cat, so she says.... my dogs always cheer me up when im having a sad day, they will play and act daft to make me laugh and the more i laugh the more they do it millies my little nurse dog and if im ill then shes the main one who starts all the fun and comes up for cuddles....

Bruce's_Mom · 08-10-2005, 02:48 PM

I Know This Is True!!! I Was In A Major Depression When I Got Bruce And He Pulled Me Right Out Of It!!!

Junebug · 08-10-2005, 03:03 PM

Otis motivates me to get outdoors and go for walks. I feel sorry for him stuck inside all day, so I make it a point to get outdoors with him.

If I was by myself, there's no way I'd take little walks by myself with no destination in mind.

I'd also like to say that I smile a lot more because he's in my life. It's hard not to smile when you look at him.

There have been times I've been in serious heated discussions with my boyfriend (okay, an argument). We'll both look over at Otis, and he's got his whiskers all messed up with his tongue sticking out, and we'll just start laughing. What a tension breaker.

Yes, dogs are healthy for us! Long live our dogs.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-11-2005, 10:17 PM

Another great article in favor of service dogs. Thanks for the post.

diva pup · 08-12-2005, 06:27 AM

Where did you see that this article was about service dogs Kim? I got that it was talking about the healing properties of COMPANION dogs.
This was a nice article and I totally believe that people that have pets in their lives are happier and healthier!!

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-12-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diva pup

Where did you see that this article was about service dogs Kim? I got that it was talking about the healing properties of COMPANION dogs.
This was a nice article and I totally believe that people that have pets in their lives are happier and healthier!!

Dawn~ I never said the article "was about service dogs".....

I said it was evidence in favor of service dogs...it talks about the healing powers, the ability to lower blood pressure, the fact that people who have their dogs with them live longer....

ALL of those statistics and facts impress upon us the great benefits of having an animal you can have with you all the time so they can work their magic and keep us calm and relaxed all the time. There are more and more service dogs who are used simply because of their instinctual ability to "heal" without any "special" training. They are so intuitive that they often pick up signals and symptoms that we do not even percieve. Dogs are so caring and do have special powers to heal a lot of ailments including pychological disorders and high blood pressure.

Service dogs are companion dogs too!

It is a perfect fit to discuss this article in terms of the benefits of a service dog who is the allowed to go everywhere with the ailing person and continue their healing powers 24/7. How can you argue with that? It is a positive comment not a negative one. Why do you want to debate this obvious point?

iheartyorkies · 08-14-2005, 05:34 AM

I can also attest to the wonderful healing compassion of dogs. Friday was a total meltdown day for me. I saw one doctor, talked to another's nurse and made an appointment with a third. For three different issues. I came home and cried and cried. Bo was there in my lap getting rained on. The sweet little guy just looked up into my face as if to say, "Don't be sad mommy!"

Junebug · 08-14-2005, 07:08 AM

^^ I'm sorry to hear about your meltdown day. Hope things turn out okay for yoU!

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-14-2005, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartyorkies

I can also attest to the wonderful healing compassion of dogs. Friday was a total meltdown day for me. I saw one doctor, talked to another's nurse and made an appointment with a third. For three different issues. I came home and cried and cried. Bo was there in my lap getting rained on. The sweet little guy just looked up into my face as if to say, "Don't be sad mommy!"

I am sorry you had such a horrible day too. I hope everything turns out okay. I am so glad you have Bo!!!

suzysmitt · 08-14-2005, 09:35 AM

I totally agree with you. I swear mine know when I don't feel well. If I cry they come up and wipe my tears away. There's nothing for a sad heart or ailment like a pet.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-14-2005, 10:14 AM

So true!

iheartyorkies · 08-14-2005, 12:52 PM

Thanks Junebug and Kim. You guys are soooo sweet! I don't want to share what I'm going thru. But every day is a struggle. But humor, friends and family and YT of course gets me through. It really means so much to be able to get on here. My spirits are lifted every time I'm on.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-14-2005, 06:09 PM

We are always here for you. Don't ever forget it!

iheartyorkies · 08-15-2005, 04:21 AM

Thanks!

07-26-2005, 08:33 PM	#1
fasteddie *YT 5000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,743	[News] Animals Really Do Have Healing Powers In ancient times, people once thought the Maltese dog had healing properties. They believed putting the longhaired white animal on their chest or stomach would cure what ails them. "I think they just discovered what we know today, that dogs do have the ability to help us relax," said Carol Murschel, who runs a pet-assisted learning program in nursing homes. Indeed, many professionals today agree on the health benefits our furry friends can offer. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown pets are able to decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in people, as well as feelings loneliness. Animals also increase exercise and socialization opportunities. Studies have also shown pet owners live longer than those without an animal companion. Many of these benefits are related to lowered stress, health officials say. Simply by having an animal present, people can lessen the stressful effects of situations such as losing a loved one or coping with a serious illness. Dianne Bell is the coordinator of Pet Partners program at the Delta Society, which trains volunteers for visiting animal programs. "Studies have shown animals can act as a tool in treatment and individual patient care," Bell said. Dogs have been used in rehabilitation centers to help motivate participants, she said. Animals are also employed to help children open up after traumatic events. In senior homes, animals can reduce loneliness and increase social interaction, Bell said. One study found medication costs at new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri and Texas to go down from $3.80 per patient per day to $1.18 where animals and plants were an integral part of the environment. "It does bring normalcy to that environment. Many have to leave a pet behind, and introducing one to the environment provokes people to talk about their younger days, maybe on the farm," Bell said. "It brings them out of their shell, so to speak." http://www.auburnjournal.com/article...et_healing.txt __________________ YODA & WINKY R ::: Winky's 2nd Birthday! ::: Yoda's 6th Birthday!

08-10-2005, 02:48 PM	#3
Bruce's_Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 716	I Know This Is True!!! I Was In A Major Depression When I Got Bruce And He Pulled Me Right Out Of It!!! __________________ Bruce's Dogster Page http://www.dogster.com/?177273

08-12-2005, 06:27 AM	#6
diva pup BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,139	Where did you see that this article was about service dogs Kim? I got that it was talking about the healing properties of COMPANION dogs. This was a nice article and I totally believe that people that have pets in their lives are happier and healthier!! Last edited by diva pup; 08-12-2005 at 06:30 AM.

08-14-2005, 05:34 AM	#8
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,707	I can also attest to the wonderful healing compassion of dogs. Friday was a total meltdown day for me. I saw one doctor, talked to another's nurse and made an appointment with a third. For three different issues. I came home and cried and cried. Bo was there in my lap getting rained on. The sweet little guy just looked up into my face as if to say, "Don't be sad mommy!" __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Bo's Dogster Page: www.dogster.com/?136971 Cynthia Turbo!

08-14-2005, 12:52 PM	#13
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,707	Thanks Junebug and Kim. You guys are soooo sweet! I don't want to share what I'm going thru. But every day is a struggle. But humor, friends and family and YT of course gets me through. It really means so much to be able to get on here. My spirits are lifted every time I'm on. __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Bo's Dogster Page: www.dogster.com/?136971 Cynthia Turbo!

07-28-2005, 01:20 AM	#2
milliesmom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: barrow in furness cumbria england Posts: 20	i totally agree with you, i know when i am feeling unwell all my dogs gather round me and make a point of staying close where i can stroke and pet them, and within a few minutes my spirits are lifted and i feel so much better, ive got artheritis and have quite bad days and my dogs know and they comfort me, i know a nighbour who suffers terribly with high blood pressure and bought a cat when her husband died for company she has no problems now with high blood pressure and its all down to her cat, so she says.... my dogs always cheer me up when im having a sad day, they will play and act daft to make me laugh and the more i laugh the more they do it millies my little nurse dog and if im ill then shes the main one who starts all the fun and comes up for cuddles....

08-10-2005, 03:03 PM	#4
Junebug *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,136	Otis motivates me to get outdoors and go for walks. I feel sorry for him stuck inside all day, so I make it a point to get outdoors with him. If I was by myself, there's no way I'd take little walks by myself with no destination in mind. I'd also like to say that I smile a lot more because he's in my life. It's hard not to smile when you look at him. There have been times I've been in serious heated discussions with my boyfriend (okay, an argument). We'll both look over at Otis, and he's got his whiskers all messed up with his tongue sticking out, and we'll just start laughing. What a tension breaker. Yes, dogs are healthy for us! Long live our dogs.

08-11-2005, 10:17 PM	#5
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	Another great article in favor of service dogs. Thanks for the post.

08-14-2005, 07:08 AM	#9
Junebug *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,136	^^ I'm sorry to hear about your meltdown day. Hope things turn out okay for yoU!

08-14-2005, 09:35 AM	#11
suzysmitt Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,150	I totally agree with you. I swear mine know when I don't feel well. If I cry they come up and wipe my tears away. There's nothing for a sad heart or ailment like a pet.

08-14-2005, 10:14 AM	#12
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	So true!

08-14-2005, 06:09 PM	#14
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	We are always here for you. Don't ever forget it!

08-15-2005, 04:21 AM	#15
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,707	Thanks! __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Bo's Dogster Page: www.dogster.com/?136971 Cynthia Turbo!