TERRE HAUTE — In the United States, one out of every two households owns a pet. Studies indicate your mental and physical health can be positively affected by owning a pet. Today, stress is ever present in our daily lives and animals have proven to function as buffers against this stress. A University of California study determined that people with pets are less affected by stress than people without pets. Just by petting an animal, you can reduce stress and blood pressure. Another study in Australia by Baker Medical Research Institute determined that pet owners have a significantly lower blood pressure level than people who do not have pets. Often, people with pets have better physical health and experience a reduced use of prescription drugs.
Owning a pet can also reduce hyperactivity and anxiety. A study in 1984 discovered that people watching fish in aquariums worked as well as hypnosis in reducing anxiety before surgery. Also, pet owners have a decreased risk for a heart attack. And for a person who owns a pet and has had a heart attack, their odds of survival increase from 1 in 15 to 1 in 87. Since both dog and cat owners are more prone to survive a heart attack, the reason behind it is less likely due to more exercise by dog owners.
Dr. Parminda Raina discovered in his Canadian research that elderly pet owners had lower health costs than non-pet owners and they were better able to cope with their daily activities. Often, elderly people say owning a pet gives them a reason for living. The physical contact with our pets allows us something to touch. Studies indicate the importance of touch for our physical and emotional health. Pets lift our moods and decrease the feeling of loneliness. It’s also important to feel needed and owning a pet is someone to care for.
Research conducted at the Medical College of Georgia and the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan suggests that children that are exposed to two or more cats and dogs in their first year of life have a reduced allergy risk. The study also indicated that it could lead to a better lung function in boys. Having two or more pets was linked to lower levels of immunoglobulin E, which has an affect on hypersensitivity reactions. Children who have pets tend to be more outgoing and self-reliant and less self-centered than those children without pets. A London children’s hospital allows weekly visits from pets that help children overcome depression from lengthy hospitalization and unpleasant treatments. There is a positive influence for adolescents as well. Teenagers in large cities with dogs are found to be more content with life and experience a better relationship with adults.
Family pets create a sense of closeness and well-being. They add consistency to our lives and they give us something to look forward to each day. Most pet owners consider their pets to be a part of their families. The love and affection that are shared between an owner and his pet can render you healthier and happier. Pets give you a sense of purpose, offer meaning to life, and help eliminate depression and loneliness. So, if you don’t yet own a pet, get healthy and adopt today.
Jolly
Jolly is currently at PetSmart, keeping the clan from the Terre Haute Humane Shelter on their toes. She’s full of life and wants your attention. She is the most loving (and the smartest) around. She’s plump and would like to keep you warm at night. Jolly and her friends and are hanging out at Petsmart, waiting to be adopted.
Valley Life
PAW PRINTS: Own a pet and stay healthy
- Valley Life
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Vectren cautions public about snow, ice removal
Vectren Energy Delivery wants to remind customers to proceed with caution when removing snow and ice around natural gas meters at their homes or businesses this winter.
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Workshop to emphasize basics of alpaca farming
A one-day seminar on the fundamentals of alpaca farming is planned for Saturday at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering a free educational forum titled “Brick Wall Hurdling” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in rooms A, B and C of the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
Despite the bad publicity, pit bulls can be very lovable and loyal family dogs. There is a great deal of confusion associated with the label “pit bull.” The most accurate definition refers to two breeds: the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Some people include other breeds in this group because they share similar head shapes and body types.
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Parke County is offering a diabetes cooking school starting Feb. 27.
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
Refreshment Services-Pepsi will kick off its 2012 Community Caps Program on March 1. The Community Caps Program will benefit several charitable organizations and schools in Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois.
- Special Occasions: Feb. 5, 2012
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
The 2012 4-H Bi-State Judges and Leaders Clinic will be Feb. 18 at Ivy Tech Community College’s Main Campus, at 8000 S. Education Drive.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
With January now history we can report new faces in both master point races, male and female.
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
Habitat for Humanity of Clay County will stage the dedication ceremony and open house for the Mary Ann Hofmann family home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at 518 E. Ridge St. in Brazil.
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
The U.S Representative of the 8th Congressional District, Larry Bucshon met with CASA volunteers earlier this month to learn more about the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
Since 98 percent of Americans no longer live on farms, Indiana soybean farmers are going to bring the farm to the public in a new exhibit building at the 2012 Indiana State Fair.
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
- Weddings, Anniversaries: Jan. 29, 2012
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
The Sullivan County Community Foundation is currently seeking nominations for its “Volunteer of the Year” award to be announced March 29.
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YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Conversation leads to imagining a world with no trees
I was recently asked by someone to imagine what the end of the world would look like. I consider myself a very optimistic person and have never imagined the end. The only image that came to mind was one often portrayed in a Hollywood movie, a scene where a big fireball comes down and everything is burnt to a crisp. The person I was talking with imagined the end would be a world where there are no living trees. This short but interesting conversation got me interested in what has and is plaguing trees.
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College offers cooking class in time for Valentine’s Day
Treat your sweetheart to a home-cooked romantic dinner for two this Valentine’s Day, courtesy of a cooking class offered at Lincoln Trail College.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Jan. 29, 2012
In earlier columns we have reported on the winners of the various master point races at the Bridge Center for last year.
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Sign up now for Signing for the Savior classes
There is still time to sign up for Senior Education Ministries’ Signing for the Savior class; the first session is Tuesday.
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Birthdays: Jan. 29, 2012
•Thelma J. Parr
• Earl S. VanScoyk
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Ryves Neighborhood, WTWO plan ‘Share Your Love’ food drive
Ryves Neighborhood Association and WTWO are sponsoring the second annual food drive from Feb. 3-17 called “Share Your Love.”
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A safe crossing: ‘Turtle girl’ Amber Slaughterbeck makes it her duty to transport Wabashiki animals to safety
On her daily drive to classes at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Amber Slaughterbeck kept encountering a sad scene alongside the highway.
- Special Occasions: Jan. 22, 2012
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