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Life Notes: Pets Give Therapeutic Benefitsby Erin Rocket, LPC, LMFT Pet ownership has many benefits. For children, it can assist in developing responsibility and socialization skills. Larger pets encourage increased levels of physical activity and outdoor play. Recent medical research revealed that exposure to pets may provide potential health benefits for both the young, and the young-at-heart alike. Studies indicate that improved blood pressure, increased immune system activity, and a general sense of well-being are potentially linked to quality time with feathered or furry friends. I believe this to be generally true, although one of my adopted strays recently raised blood pressure in an incident worthy of a network television sitcom. One evening after dinner, my one-year-old black female kitty, adopted from a Dallas parking lot last summer, chose to share her appreciation in a hair-raising manner. She scratched at the door; I opened it to let her in, and she rushed to drop a gift at my feet. Actually, she dropped it ON my feet. Realization: A live creature perched on top of my sandaled foot. Reflex kicked in, complete with perfunctory screaming and ice tea slinging across the room. With dust settled and tea still dripping, I scanned the room to see what slung from my unsuspecting foot. A baby wren, completely unharmed but petrified, peered at me from under my sofa, cheeping nervously. After scooting kitty outside, I attempted to retrieve the poor terrified creature. With the sofa lifted gingerly from the wall, a broom was utilized to coax baby bird into a large shoe box. With birdie placed in secure, cat-safe quarters, I next mopped up tea, repositioned the sofa, and properly thanked kitty for her gift. The wren, stunned but unharmed, flew away a bit later. Kitty Bella spent the evening monitoring the sofa, looking for signs of activity. What is the moral of this feline tale? First, pet ownership obviously has potential hidden benefits. Secondly: Don’t judge the motives behind an unexpected gift. Life Notes: Complete List 2007 2006 The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader. | |||
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