Between Pets and People

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Pets play a greater role in our emotional and physicalhealth than ever before, says the Purdue University professor who is co-authorof his revised edition of Between Petsand People: The Importance of Animal Companionship. The book offersconclusive evidence from the two foremost researchers in the field, Alan M.Beck and Aaron H. Katcher, that animals have a significant influence on humanlife and health. Dealing with such varied topics as pet ownership and genderdifferences, the pet's freedom from social taboos, and pets' taking on roles offamily members, the authors show that animal companionship affects, and isaffected by, the most basic levels of human existence. Even how we name andfeed our pets tells us about ourselves and our needs. Between Pets and People explores the emotional and physicalbenefits of owning a pet and analyzes the complex relationship between peopleand pets. "The study of the importance of the relationship between peopleand animals is a growing field and has the potential to be part of the wholehuman-health field, " says Beck, director of Purdue's Center for AppliedEthology and Human-Animal Interaction. Beck and Katcher note a 1992 study by an Australiancardiologist of 5, 000 people who visited a clinic to find ways to reduce heartdisease. The study found that people with pets had lower blood pressure andlower blood fat levels than those without pets, even though the two groups werealike in diet and exercise. The authors also point to the trend by nursinghomes to incorporate animals into the routine and environment for patients. Inthe early 1980s nursing homes typically did not allow pets to visit patients, while today nearly half of the homes have an organized program for animaltherapy, Beck says. In addition to exploring physical benefits, the book coverssuch topics as pets as family members, pets as therapists, talking to pets, andhow pets can teach us to become better companions to friends and family. Thebook also has a list of web sites by such organizations as Canine Companionsfor Independence and the American Kennel Club.