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Benefits of Pet Therapy for All Ages

The document discusses the benefits of pet therapy, highlighting how pets can alleviate loneliness, stress, and improve overall health. It features examples of individuals and organizations, such as 'Paws and Hearts,' that utilize pet therapy in various settings, including nursing homes and schools. The research indicates that interactions with pets can lead to lower blood pressure and enhanced emotional well-being for people of all ages.

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34 views4 pages

Benefits of Pet Therapy for All Ages

The document discusses the benefits of pet therapy, highlighting how pets can alleviate loneliness, stress, and improve overall health. It features examples of individuals and organizations, such as 'Paws and Hearts,' that utilize pet therapy in various settings, including nursing homes and schools. The research indicates that interactions with pets can lead to lower blood pressure and enhanced emotional well-being for people of all ages.

Uploaded by

mustafaevamaksad
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Improving Lives with Pet Therapy

Do you sometimes feel lonely? Do you sometimes feel stressed? Do you


sometimes feel sick? If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you might not need a
doctor. Instead, you might just need a pet. Pets, like dogs, cats, or even birds, can
make you feel better. In fact, many people feel healthy when they have a pet to take
care of.
People who have pets often feel calmer and less lonely than people who don’t
have pets. For example, Juliet Locke has a six-year-old cat named Snowball.
“Snowball knows when I’m having a bad day. When I’m sitting in a chair, she’ll jump
on my lap and I’ll pet her. She really helps me feel relaxed,” says Juliet. Pets can help
you have a healthy mind, and they can give you a healthy body, too. Dr. R.K.
Anderson is a veterinarian. He started CENSHARE (Center to 132 Study
Human/Animal Relationships and Environments), an organization that researches
how pets affect people. These researchers believe that people with pets are healthier
than people without pets. For instance, pet owners often have low rates of heart
disease. Many pet owners don’t have high blood pressure, either. While most people
think of dogs and cats as pets, having birds and fish can also be effective.
In fact, people own many different kinds of pets. Researchers studied the
effects of these kinds of animals on their owners’ health. The researchers found that
some people actually lower their blood pressure by watching fish in a tank, or by
listening to the sounds of birds. These activities are very calming. Richard Waxman
believes that all people should have the chance to spend time with a pet. He started a
group called “Paws and Hearts.” It is a volunteer organization that brings animals to
nursing homes, hospitals and senior centers. Mr. Waxman says that each patient can
become friends with a loving dog. As a result, the patients feel calmer, and also have
less physical pain. This is called “pet therapy,” and people love the animals’ visits. For
example, Clara Wu lives at a nursing home in Palm Desert, California. “I just love
when the volunteers bring the dogs to visit us,” Mrs. Wu says. “It brings back
wonderful memories of other dogs I’ve owned.” [Link] agrees. “Pet therapy
allows for a great connection between the past and the present that can be very
powerful.”
Paws and Hearts isn’t only for adults. The organization also has a reading
program for children called “Paws to Read.” Volunteers bring dogs to schools and
libraries. There, children sit with the dogs and read stories to them. This activity often
improves the children’s reading skills as well as their self-confidence. Then when they
return to their classrooms, they feel more sure of themselves and can read aloud
more easily and clearly. It’s easy to see that pet therapy is useful for people of all
ages.

EX 1. Fact-Finding Exercise
Read the passage once. Then read the following statements. Check whether they are
True or False. If a statement is false, rewrite the statement so that it is true. Then go
back to the passage and find the line that supports your answer.

1 People who have pets often feel less healthy than people who don’t have pets.
2 Snowball is a six-year-old dog.
3 People sometimes feel calm by watching fish in a tank or by listening to the sounds
of birds.
4 Patients at a nursing home in Palm Desert, California, are happy when the pets
come to visit them.
5 Volunteers from “Paws to Read” bring dogs to nursing homes and hospitals.
6 children’s reading skills often improve by reading stories to the dogs.

EX 2. Reading Analysis. Read each question carefully. Either circle the letter or the
number of the correct answer or write your answer in the space provided.

1 Do you sometimes feel lonely? Do you sometimes feel stressed? Do you


sometimes feel sick? If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you might not need a
doctor. Instead, you might just need a pet. Pets, like dogs, cats, or even birds, can
help you feel better. In fact, many people feel healthy when they have a pet to take
care of.

a. Instead means
1. in place of
2. in addition to
3. together with

b. A pet is
1. an animal you keep in your home
2. a dog or a cat
3. a bird

c. Which animals can make you feel better?


1. Only dogs or cats
2. Only birds
3. Dogs, cats, birds, and other animals

d. What kind of information follows in fact?


1. New, different information from the idea in the previous sentence
2. More details about the idea in the previous sentence
3. An example of the idea in the previous sentence

EX 3. Skimming and Scanning Exercise. Skim through the passage. Then read the
following statements. Choose the one that is the correct main idea of the reading.
a. People in hospitals feel healthier when pets visit them.
b. Pets can be very helpful to people.
c. People of all ages enjoy pets.

2 “Snowball knows when I’m having a bad day. When I’m sitting in a chair, she’ll jump
on my lap and I’ll pet her. She really helps me feel relaxed,” says Juliet.
a. A bad day means
1. an unhappy or stressful day
2. a day with bad weather
3. an unlucky day

b. Someone’s lap is
1. the chair a person is sitting on
2. the top of your legs when you are sitting down
3. a small table

3. Researchers believe that people with pets are healthier than people without pets.
For instance, pet owners often have low rates of heart disease. Many pet owners
don’t have high blood pressure, either. While most people think of dogs and cats as
pets, birds and fi sh can also be effective. In fact, people own many diff erent kinds of
pets.
a. What does for instance mean?
1. However
2. For example
3. Of course

b. A pet owner is someone who


1. has a pet at home
2. likes animals
3. has high blood pressure

c. How are people with pets healthier than people without pets?
1. They often have low rates of heart disease
2. They typically don’t have high blood pressure
3. Both 1 and 2

d. Which animals can be helpful in making people healthier?


1. Dogs
2. Cats
3. Birds
4. Fish
5. All of the above

4 Volunteers bring dogs to schools and libraries. There, children sit with the dogs and
read stories to them. This activity helps to improve the children’s reading skills as well
as their self-confidence. Then when they return to their classrooms, they feel more
sure of themselves and can read aloud more easily and clearly.
a. There refers to
1. in schools and libraries
2. only in schools
3. only in libraries
b. When you read aloud, you read
1. silently, without speaking
2. quietly to yourself
3. so that others can hear you

c. What group of words in these sentences is a synonym for self-confidence?

EX 4. Vocabulary in Context. Read the following sentences. Complete each blank


space with the correct word from the list above. Use each word only once.

aloud instead stressful effective powerful therapy For self-


instance confidence

1 The teacher sometimes reads a story____________ to the class. We always listen


carefully.
2 Mariella enjoys reading as much as she can. ___________ , she reads on the bus,
during lunch, and before class, too.
3 I wanted a dog for a pet, but my parents said no, so I got a cat _____________.
4 I prefer to send email to my family. It’s much more_____________ than writing
letters. It’s faster and easier, too.
5 Sung Min plays the piano very well. He has a lot of _________and is never afraid to
perform for large groups of people.
6 Having a pet, listening to soft music, taking a warm bath, are all very effective kinds
of_________ . They all help us feel relaxed.
7 At first, it can be very__________ to go to a new school. However, students often
feel calmer after the first week.
8 Doctors can give patients very___________ medicine for pain when aspirin isn’t
strong enough.
EX 5. Answer the questions.
1. The reading talks about cats, dogs, birds, and fish as helpful pets. Which animal
could be most effective for certain people? For example, which animal might be most
helpful for a child? For an elderly person? For someone in a hospital?
2. The reading talks about the usefulness of pets for the elderly and for children. What
other people can pets help? How can they be helpful?

Common questions

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The "Paws and Hearts" program integrates past and present experiences for nursing home residents by fostering connections with animals similar to those they may have owned in the past. This reawakens fond memories and strengthens mental and emotional engagement with the present environment. Visits from therapy animals provide comfort, reminding residents of joyful times spent with their own pets, thereby enhancing emotional well-being and reducing feelings of isolation .

Pet therapy offers a complementary approach to traditional medicine by providing emotional support and companionship, which can lead to improved mental health. Unlike conventional methods that may rely on medication or therapy sessions, pet therapy can help reduce stress, loneliness, and anxiety through interactions with pets. Research shows that pet owners often have lower heart disease rates and blood pressure, aspects not directly addressed by traditional medical means . This highlights the holistic benefits of pet therapy in enhancing physical and mental wellbeing.

Pet therapy aligns with holistic healthcare movements by addressing mental, emotional, and physical health. It complements conventional medical treatments by promoting emotional connection, reducing stress, and enhancing mood, thereby supporting mental health. The practice also encourages physical activity and improves cardiovascular health, showcasing an integrated approach to wellness . As healthcare priorities shift towards treating the whole person rather than just symptoms, pet therapy exemplifies a non-invasive, person-centered intervention that aligns with these values .

The "Paws to Read" program highlights multidimensional benefits of pet therapy by enhancing children's literacy skills, self-confidence, and emotional wellbeing. By reading to dogs, children engage in a supportive and non-judgmental environment that fosters learning and confidence. This interaction not only improves reading abilities but also positively influences self-esteem and personal growth . The program's success suggests that pet therapy provides comprehensive benefits that address educational, emotional, and social needs, expanding its relevance across diverse life stages and situations .

Pet therapy provides psychological relief to patients experiencing physical pain by reducing stress and anxiety, and by shifting focus away from their discomfort. As observed in nursing homes, patients interacting with therapy animals experience less perceived pain, as endorphins released during positive interactions with pets enhance mood and offer distraction from pain . Thus, the therapy's soothing psychological effects indirectly aid in managing physical discomfort.

Pets enhance children's reading skills and confidence through supportive, non-judgmental interactions. In programs like "Paws to Read," children read aloud to dogs, creating a safe space for self-expression and practice without fear of criticism. This positive reinforcement builds their reading skills and bolsters confidence, as children feel empowered by their perceived success and encouragement from their canine audience . These experiences translate to improved performance in more formal reading settings, like classrooms .

Pets contribute to lowering blood pressure through their calming presence and interactive activities. For example, watching fish in a tank or listening to birds can be soothing for some people . Additionally, the routine of taking care of a pet and the physical activity involved, such as walking a dog, can positively impact cardiovascular health. Research has shown that such interactions with pets can lead to a decrease in stress levels, which helps in managing blood pressure .

Reading to dogs as an educational strategy implies a shift towards more holistic learning approaches that prioritize emotional wellbeing alongside academic skills. This practice suggests that integrating animal-assisted activities could foster engagement, reduce learning-related anxiety, and promote confidence in students, particularly those struggling in traditional settings . Future educational strategies could harness these benefits to create inclusive, supportive learning environments that address both emotional and cognitive aspects of education, potentially enhancing overall student outcomes .

Pet therapy may serve as a substitute for companionship especially in populations such as the elderly, patients in hospitals, and children. For elderly and isolated individuals, pets offer a sense of presence and an emotional bond otherwise missing from human interaction, significantly alleviating loneliness and stress . However, while effective, pet companionship cannot entirely replace nuanced human interactions and the complexities of human relationships. Therefore, though profoundly beneficial, it should ideally complement rather than wholly substitute human companionship .

Different types of pets cater to various therapeutic needs based on the kind of interaction they provide. Dogs offer companionship and promote physical activity through walks, suitable for active individuals or those needing motivation to exercise . Cats provide a quiet presence, helping reduce stress in more introverted individuals. Fish and birds offer passive engagement through observation and auditory experiences, which can be calming and reduce anxiety without direct physical interaction, benefiting individuals with mobility issues or who prefer less active involvement .

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