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By Diane Pomerance PhD, Animal Behavior Expert In a world as chaotic, violent, tumultuous, and destructive as ours, with both man-made as well as natural disasters rampant, with minimal contact between humans and the natural world, our animal companions have assumed significance far beyond most people’s comprehension. Our relationship with and appreciation and respect for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats have deepened, and many of us have come to regard our “pets” as beloved family members rather than chattel or beings simply to be used for our convenience or designed to assist us in our work.
We have lost touch with the profound beauty and the many gifts which nature provides us. We grow increasingly ignorant of and nonchalant about the essential role that nature plays in our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual lives.. We have lost much of our spiritual essence and foundation as we diminish or even dismiss the importance of and relevance of nature and the natural world to our lives. Instead, we have embraced man-made accomplishments and technological achievements. There has been an enormous amount of evidence based upon numerous scientific studies which substantiate the importance of nature and natural beauty in our lives. There are many reasons that we find peace, serenity and solace in our mountains, oceans, rivers and forests. There are many reasons that we derive pleasure, comfort and support from our animal companions. There is significant scientific evidence, which supports the emotional and physiological benefits and the healing powers of our animal companions they lower our blood pressure, decrease our heart rate, and decrease anxiety, depression, sadness anger, fear and stress. Their presence has a calming and soothing effect upon us. Odendaal’s study of 2000 measured significant changes in blood plasma levels of various neurochemicals after subjects engaged in a 30-minute positive interaction wit an unfamiliar dog. Neurochemicals associated with a decrease in blood pressure increased; in humans and dogs, endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, phenylectic acid, and dopamine increased significantly. Cortisol, a hormone associated with increased stress levels, decreased significantly in humans.
In 2002 Wu, Niedra, Pendergast & McCrindle evaluated the effectiveness of a dog visitation program in helping 30 children and their families adjust to hospitalization on a pediatric cardiology ward. From their analysis of all the data, the researchers concluded that the dog visits relieved stress, normalized the hospital milieu, and improved patient and parent morale. Richeson 2003 described how the nondirective presence of a therapy dog decreased agitation and increased positive social behaviors in older patients with dementia. According to Dr Cynthia K. Chandler, a Professor of Counseling and Director of Animal Assisted Therapy at the University of North Texas, ‘Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) in counseling is the incorporation of pets as therapeutic agents into the counseling process. The therapy animal works in partnership with a human therapist to provide compassionate and stimulating therapy designed to facilitate human client recovery.’ AAT utilizes the special relationship between people and their pets to provide services for persons in need. AAT utilizes the human and animal bond to model and facilitate appropriate and nurturing relationships.’ The emotional, physical and spiritual benefits of animal companionship are incalculable. In the impersonal and highly technologically oriented world in which we live, animal companionship provides us with a link to the world of nature, beauty and the Source of all Creation. For more information please visit Dr. Diane Pomerance's sites at: http://www.animalcompanionsandtheirpeople.com
Dr. Diane Pomerance has created and established the Pet Grief Counseling Program for the SPCA of Texas which incorporates grief support groups, one-on-one counseling, telephone counseling, volunteer education and training, etc. She has also written the highly acclaimed children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies" which teaches children how to cope with and recover from not only the loss of a beloved companion animal but the inevitable losses all of us experience. She is also the author of the Animal Companions book series including the titles: "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers & Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World.", “Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions", "Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her most recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You." MAJOR MEDIA: Dr. Diane Pomerance has been featured as a pet expert on over 1,600 radio programs including local and NBC, ABC, CBS , Fox and NPR affiliates nationwide. She has also been a guest expert on such nationally syndicated TV programs as "Fox and Friends", “Montel Williams”, and Hallmark Channel's "New Morning". She has been interviewed and/or featured in such newspapers and magazines as: Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Woman’s World, Ladies Home Journal, Quick & Simple, The Los Angeles Daily News, The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, The Washington Times, Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine, Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy, etc. Media Contact: Stacy, Annie Jennings PR 412.213.3070 TESTIMONIAL: “You deliver better than UPS, FedEx and the Post Office COMBINED!" --Lindsay Planer, WBT Radio Charlotte NC |
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Saturday, April 21st, 2012
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Treasure Island Fun Center
BellaDOG Newsletter |
Franklin family’s dogs taken by animal officer, placed with new owners
FRANKLIN, Maine — Last fall, the Warren family had two Golden Retrievers, Bella and Jake, that were considered integral members of a household which includes four young children. Now the dogs have been placed with a new owner somewhere in New England after they took off from the Warrens’ yard in early November and failed to return.
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ignificance of nature in our lives, much to our detriment. We simply have lost our understanding and awareness as to how vitally important – how integral- to our lives (physically, emotionally and spiritually) the world of nature is.
A 2007 study by Cole, Gawlinski, Steers & Kotlerman found that visits with a therapy dog improved cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure. Human heart failure patients had one 12 minute visit with a therapy dog – lower anxiety, epinephrine stress hormone dropped, blood pressure dropped.
ABOUT DIANE POMERANCE PHD: Dog Behavior Specialist & Pet Expert, Diane Pomerance, PhD, is author of the new book, Our Rescue Dog Family Album as well as the Animal Companions book series. She works closely with the SPCA of Texas, K-9 Friends Visiting Therapy Dogs of GTDOG, and the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League. She holds a PhD in Communication and received certification as a Grief Recovery Specialist and focuses on healing from the loss of a pet.
