Happy Celebrate Shelter Pets Day!
Today is the 10th annual Celebrate Shelter Pets Day. This awareness event is designed to encourage the adoption of shelter pets by having owners tell their pet adoption stories on social media using the #CelebrateShelterPets hashtag.
Be sure to share your story today!
The American Heart Association recently published a study on the health benefits of dog ownership for people at risk for heart attack and stroke.
According to the study, dog ownership is associated with a 33% lower risk of death for heart attack survivors who live alone, as compared to non-dog owners.
Dog-owning stroke survivors who live alone have a 27% reduced risk of death compared to those who don’t own a dog.
Dog ownership has been found to be associated with a 24% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (31% reduced risk for heart attack and stroke).
Why is there such a significant reduction in mortality? The American Heart Association points to two key factors related to dog ownership: companionship/social connection and increased physical activity, both of which can lead to improved health and lowered blood pressure.
The researchers found that among heart attack and stroke survivors, the risk of death was lower for dog owners than even for people living with a spouse or child!
Check out this video on the study to learn more:
The hardest part about sharing your life with a companion animal is when the time comes to say goodbye. The loss of a beloved pet is difficult for all pet parents. Luckily, there are some helpful support resources out there, including Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s Honoring the Bond program.
Honoring the Bond not only helps clients of the Veterinary Medical Center (providing on-site social work services) but also pet owners everywhere.
You can visit their website and download information resources on pet loss topics such as:
Ohio State has also compiled a great suggested reading list on topics related to pet loss, including making end of life decisions and children’s books about the loss of a pet. You can also find a list of hotlines and online sites that support grieving pet owners.
Hey, did you know that we have an online shop?
We sell a variety of cute animal-themed items through a partnership with Threadless. 35-45% of all sales go to the FACE Foundation and our work to save the lives of pets in need of critical veterinary care.
We carry a wide range of clothing and accessories that feature artwork of a few of the adorable pets we have helped save.
All products are on sale until 11/27/19, 9 p.m. CT, so take a look!
The University of Washington and Texas A&M University have teamed up for a large-scale study called the Dog Aging Project. The project invites dog owners to nominate their pets to be part of the study.
The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify factors that are critical to improving healthy lifespan in dogs. The researchers are interested in finding out how genetics, lifestyle, and environment influence the canine aging process.
By analyzing the data collected, the researchers’ ultimate goal is to provide owners with evidence-based advice that will help owners increase their dog’s healthy lifespan.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be invited to fill out surveys about your dog’s health and life experiences. You will be asked to submit a sample of your dog’s saliva for DNA testing as well. Some owners will be able to perform special activities with their dogs and report the results to the study.
Interesting in getting started? You can learn more about nominating your dog HERE.
