New Research on Health of Pet Owners Due to Their Pets
Posted on October 04, 2009 by Nancy Houser
Coming straight from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI), the latest research has shown that clinical and psychological benefits from someone owning a pet or using pet therapy far exceeds what has been originally documented. Recent data has been found to lower the person’s blood pressure, encourage exercise and improve their psychological health.
This coming fall from October 20-25 at the University’s International Society for Anthrozoology and Human-Animal Interaction Conference in Kansas City, many ways will be explored in ways that animals can benefit people of all ages.
“Research in this field is providing new evidence on the positive impact pets have in our lives,” said Rebecca Johnson, associate professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, the College of Veterinary Medicine and director of ReCHAI.
“This conference will provide a unique opportunity to connect international experts working in human-animal interaction research with those already working in the health and veterinary medicine fields. A wonderful array of presentations will show how beneficial animals can be in the lives of children, families and older adults.”
At an earlier date this year one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) — co-hosted two workshops with The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition, a division of Mars Incorporated. These special workships brought leading experts together to discuss the benefits of human-animal interaction in childhood.
“Pets are of great importance to people, especially during hard economic times,” Johnson said. “Pets provide unconditional love and acceptance and may be part of answers to societal problems, such as inactivity and obesity.”
(Read more at “Pet Therapy Good for All ages“)
Related posts:
