| For most of us, a four legged friend is a great | | | | great for emotional support. Animals are also great |
| companion to come home to, pet, someone to go | | | | for other kinds of therapy; for example, as a |
| running with, and give attention. And who doesn't | | | | treatment for aspergers' syndrome. |
| love the dog licking us or cat playfully biting our | | | | Having a pet doesn't have to be limited to smaller |
| ankles as we walk by? For those that had an animal | | | | animals for novices. Horses can be a good past time |
| growing up, I'm sure you have a couple of fun | | | | for those interested in larger animals. Owning a horse |
| stories about feeding them your veggies under the | | | | may seem intimidating, but stables offer a place to |
| dinner table. | | | | house them and can even teach you how to take |
| So, what can a pet do for you? Why is adopting a | | | | care of them. Horses are great for riding, getting |
| pet so important and how can it really improve the | | | | around on, and competitions of all sorts. The best |
| quality of your life? Sadly, during the recession, so | | | | part is, depending on where you live, horses can be |
| many people can't continue to have pets due to the | | | | available to those just looking for riding lessons and |
| big financial responsibility they are. Because so many | | | | not having to deal with the hassles of owning one. |
| animals are put in the local shelters, there are so | | | | Animals are great to have around your house for |
| many more good reasons for those able to adopt a | | | | other reasons as well. If you have children, having a |
| pet to adopt. | | | | pet around can be a good way to help them develop. |
| I know what some of you are probably thinking. An | | | | Kids will learn how to interact with animals, and in |
| animal is a big responsibility. And they are a big | | | | some circumstances, learn social skills from them. This |
| responsibility. They cost a lot of money- vet visits, | | | | may sound kind of strange, but this behavior is called |
| pet supplies, and food just to name a few. Pets, | | | | modeling. It has been proven that those children who |
| especially dogs, also require a lot of attention. | | | | are good around pets are good around people as |
| However, for those that own animals, they know | | | | well- on the flip side, an early warning sign for violent |
| that the time, energy, love, and money that are put | | | | behavior in children is animal abuse. |
| into the care of animals are definitely worth it. | | | | Kids can also develop a sense of fulfillment and |
| For starters, it's been proven that pets can improve | | | | responsibility from having a pet. To give you another |
| our quality of life dramatically by lowering blood | | | | example from my life, I grew up in a small town and |
| pressure and stress levels. There have also been | | | | 4H was a group kids often joined. In the 4H |
| many instances where an untrained animal was able | | | | competitions, my fellow classmates often brought in |
| to detect some deadly illnesses like cancerous lumps | | | | the animals they helped raise and some even won |
| that were not found previously. A trained animal is | | | | prizes- much to my envy. Even if you don't live in a |
| especially good to have around if you have a serious | | | | small town, check out any local 4H competitions you |
| medical condition, like epilepsy. | | | | might have in your town or city and see how some |
| Personally, when I am feeling low or if I just have a | | | | of the kids feel about their animals. You may just be |
| bad day, having an animal around is good for | | | | surprised. |
| improving my mood. I am sure every other pet | | | | Having a pet doesn't have to require a big reason |
| owner can attest to this. While some anti- pet people | | | | though. A dog can also just be a great motivation to |
| out there would say that having a pet around is a | | | | get outside and go running around the block with, a |
| bad idea because humans need something to control | | | | cat can be a good snuggling companion while |
| (yes, I've unfortunately heard this argument before). | | | | watching TV, and a bird can provide a good tune. |
| I would say that is just not the case for most pet | | | | Whatever you end up deciding is a good reason to |
| owners. Having a pet around me is not about | | | | adopt an animal as your pet, I hope you check out |
| controlling something, but for me, it is about having | | | | your local shelter. There are many good animals out |
| the unconditional love and playfulness that a pet will | | | | there looking for a second chance to love someone |
| give you. | | | | new. |
| The unconditional love of a pet is a great thing for | | | | I wrote this article because I have a strong passion |
| those that have suffered from many abusive | | | | for animals and animal rights. If you have any general |
| situations. Whether or not it's true, perhaps you | | | | questions on how a pet can improve your life, feel |
| heard of how Jaycee Dugard and her daughters had | | | | free to contact me. Or you can tell me about the |
| 'horse therapy' to help her cope with her new | | | | wonderful pet you've already adopted and how it's |
| situation. What is certain, though, is that animals are | | | | changed your life. I look forward to hearing from you. |