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Posted on 12/03/2009 3:05:28 PM PST by JoeProBono
A pet owner knows the enormous joy and comfort that an animal can provide, especially in troubled times. Most pets are considered important members of the family and irreplaceable companions.
A growing body of research now documents the value of the human-animal bond in child development, elderly care, mental illness, physical impairment, dementia, abuse and trauma recovery, and the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth and adults. In two articles in a recent issue of Family Process, titled "Human-Animal Bonds I," (focused on the benefits of companion animals) and "Human-Animal Bonds II," (focused on their role in couple and family dynamics and family therapy), Dr. Froma Walsh reviews and distills the essence of this cutting-edge research.
She examines how a bond with a pet can strengthen human resilience through times of crisis, persistent adversity, and disruptive transitions, such as relocation, divorce, widowhood, and adoption. The well-being and healing that a pet can provide include a range of relational benefits, from stress reduction and playfulness, to loyal companionship, affection, comfort, security, and unconditional love. Pets also can be drawn into couple and family conflict.
Women often do not leave abusive partners because of threats of abuse to a beloved pet.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
http://www.pennysfromheavenfoundation.org/images/about-2.jpg
A boy and his dog.
BTW...threats of abuse of my little best friends will most likely lead to the disappearance of said threatening abuser.
“the value of the human-animal bond in child development, elderly care, mental illness, physical impairment, dementia, abuse and trauma recovery, and the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth and adults.”
Though usually positive, I believe I have seen it cut both ways, with some adults who appear to be using a spoiled pet as a replacement for and shield from any attempt at any sort of relationship with grown or near-grown children, and I’ve been around those crazy cat (and puppy) ladies at work, too, the ones who burst into near-hysterical tears of trumped-up, vindictive, righteous anger at the merest hint of a slightly dismissive or callous attitude toward any pet’s welfare.
>the ones who burst into near-hysterical tears of trumped-up, vindictive, righteous anger at the merest hint of a slightly dismissive or callous attitude toward any pet’s welfare.
Damn!
My dog nearly caused my death and saved me at the same time today. I run her on the skateboard and she caused me to fall (my fault I should have let go of the lease). As I’m lying in the middle of the road wondering if the hamstring injury will need surgery a car approached and could not see me. She jumped in the middle of the road in time for the car to swerve. The driver was kind enough to give me a ride home. Hamstring hurts like hell (and will for a while), but did not separate thank goodness.
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