Returnables benefit shelter pets
By Christine Cowett Robinson
Your bottles and cans can make a big difference in the lives of the unwanted animals of Central Aroostook County. When you turn in your bottles and cans to the Presque Isle Redemption Center, tell Mike Bouchard that you are donating all or a portion of your returnables to the Central Aroostook Human Society. Mike will be happy to forward your change, or dollars, to the Society. He will even give you a receipt for your donation so you can deduct it on your income tax return. Yes, it is that simple to make a huge difference.
The Central Aroostook Kennel Club Is Hosting an AKC Sanctioned Fun Match And More on Aug. 14 at Riverside Park. They will be offering:
• Therapy Dog International (TDI) (all dogs welcome; Canadian dogs can also be certified) — Tester Robi Boulier of Tail Waggin Training Center, start 8:30 a.m., $20;
• Canine Good Citizen (CGC) (all dogs welcome) — Tester Robi and Lynn Boulier of Tail Waggin Training Center. To follow TDI test. $15;
• Rally (all dogs welcome) — Judge Lynn Bouiler of Tail Waggin Training Center, start 9 a.m. $5;
• Breed (only AKC registered and intact dogs) — Judge Denyse Adams; start 10 a.m. $5;
• All-American (All-American is for purebred or non-purebred neutered dogs) — Judge Denyse Adams. Judging to immediately follow Breed class. $5; and
• Obedience (all dogs welcome) — Judge Kathy Hoppe. Start 10 a.m. $5.
This should be fun to watch or participate in. As dog owners, this is a great opportunity to see the “other” things we can do with our dogs. I tested Rusty and he passed his Canine Good Citizen test years ago; I had no clue what to expect, but he was awesome. It was a feather in my cap and his!
FMI visit www.TheCAKC.com or email tydavent@yahoo.com.
If pets are good for your health, I must be one of the healthiest people I know. I just can’t imagine my life without my pets. They always listen to me, they give me a shoulder to cry on, and they never judge me. What more could I ask?
Research shows that children with pets are more likely to have high self-esteem. A U.S. study of 394 university students revealed that those who had owned dogs or cats as childhood pets were more self-confident than those who did not. One study revealed that children who had a dog present during their physical examinations had lower heart rates, reduced blood pressure and less behavioral distress than when the dog was not present.
A study of 455 school children between the ages of 11 and 16 revealed that children with pets had a better ability to understand non-verbal communications. A study by the U.S. Department of Health concluded that pets increased the survival rate of heart attack victims. The study revealed that 28 percent of heart patients with pets survived serious heart attacks, compared to only 6 percent of heart patients without pets.
Another study revealed that the cholesterol levels of pet owners were 2 percent lower than the cholesterol levels of people without pets. The risk of those pet owners having a heart attack was reduced by 4 percent.
A U.S. survey of 1,000 Medicare patients showed that 40 percent of the elderly sought the services of a doctor much less frequently than those without animal companions. Nursing homes that use companion-animal therapy have experienced a significant reduction in the use of prescription drugs. The overall cost of caring for seniors also dropped.
My point — well, you already know what that is; adopting a pet has wonderful health benefits for all of your family, if your family is ready for one. Pets require a huge commitment of time, money and emotion. Another alternative to owning a pet is to donate some volunteer time at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We love to share our lovely animals with the community, plus it is great for the animal’s health as well. Please stop by and visit; we are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441. You must be 16 yrs or older to volunteer without adult supervision.
Please be responsible pet owners and have your pets spayed or neutered.
