HAVING A PET CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

CREATED BY DEBORAH Y. STRAUSS, D.V.M.

If you’ve ever owned a pet, you already know how much fun and affection they can

bring…

Sure, they can destroy your things, they can cost a lot of money, and they will even hog the bed (if you let them).

But, if you’re among the millions of pet owners across the country, you just can’t imagine life without your beloved dog, cat or other animal companion.

So why are we so determined to make

these creatures part of the family?

Probably because of the incredible health and

happiness benefits that they offer us.

C H I L D R E N W I T H P E T S AT H O M E H AV E S I G N I F I C A N T LY H I G H E R S C O R E S O N S C A L E S F O R E M PAT H Y A N D S O C I A L S K I L L S . T H I S I S B E C A U S E T H E Y

L E A R N F R O M A Y O U N G A G E T H AT A L L L I V I N G C R E AT U R E S H AV E S I M I L A R N E E D S . L O V E , C O M F O RT , F O O D , A N D S H E LT E R A R E N E E D S

T H AT W E H AV E I N C O M M O N A N D R E C O G N I Z I N G T H I S A L L O W S C H I L D R E N T O R E L AT E T O T H E I R F U R RY F R I E N D S .

TA K I N G C A R E O F A P E T A L S O H E L P S T E A C H C H I L D R E N T O S E E T H I N G S F R O M O T H E R P E R S P E C T I V E S . I T S H O W S T H E I M P O RTA N C E

O F B E I N G C A R I N G A N D C O M PA S S I O N AT E .

S T U D I E S H AV E L I N K E D FA M I LY O W N E R S H I P O F A P E T W I T H H I G H E R S E L F - E S T E E M A N D G R E AT E R C O G N I T I V E

D E V E L O P M E N T I N Y O U N G C H I L D R E N .

P E R H A P S T H I S I S B E C A U S E H AV I N G A P E T M A K E S U S F E E L N E E D E D . O R M AY B E I T H A S T O D O W I T H T H E U N C O N D I T I O N A L

L O V E T H AT T H E Y S H O W E R U S W I T H , O R T H E FA C T T H AT T H E Y ’ R E C O M P L E T E LY N O N J U D G M E N TA L A B O U T O U R L I F E S T Y L E S .

Owning a lively pet may sometimes prove

exasperating, but it appears all the effort is worth it. Whether you’re tossing a

tennis ball at the dog park or dancing around the living room with a feather toy and

your cat, you’re moving around — and that means burning calories, getting

your heart rate up and scoring a mood raising

energy boost provided by quick bursts of exercise.

M U C H O F T H E P R O F O U N D E F F E C T T H AT P E T S H AV E O N O U R H E A LT H , L E A R N I N G S K I L L S , A N D E M O T I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T I S B E C A U S E T H E Y A R E N O T “ J U S T P E T S ” B U T T H E Y A R E N O N - J U D G M E N TA L ,

U N C O N D I T I O N A L , L O V I N G M E M B E R S O F O U R FA M I L I E S .

THANKS FOR WATCHING!