FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES How Pets Improve Our Health and Happiness
FIND THE RIGHT PET Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to
As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. THE BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health.
consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .
100-plus stitches in her face removed, Dr. Scott came in on a Saturday to see Gwyn. She’s since visited the office every few months, and each time, she feels reassured about how things have healed. Gwyn says he took a lot of pictures because he was so amazed with how it looked and that her friends “can’t tell [she] ever had a procedure.” She’s also thankful to her dermatologist for recommending her to Dr. Scott. “I don’t know how I would have found another ocular plastic surgeon who could have done this.” Not only did Gwyn originally fear losing her sight or her eye, but she also worried about being disfigured by the procedure to remove the cancerous tissue. However, Dr. Scott helped ensure that neither of those things happened. Gwyn says to “put your faith and your trust in Dr. Scott. He’s going to be with you throughout the entire process. He’s going to be there the whole time that you need him and he’ll treat you like you’re his only patient.” PATIENT STORY OF THE MONTH: GWYN
Our wonderful and brave patient Gwyn was referred to us by her dermatologist after a routine checkup led to a biopsy and subsequent diagnosis of a basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) near the inside corner of her left eye. After her consultation with Dr. Scott, the dermatologist was set to perform Mohs surgery to remove the affected layers of skin containing the eyelid skin cancer, after which Gwyn was scheduled to see Dr. Scott for reconstructive surgery. Gwyn was understandably anxious about the surgery, but she said that Dr. Scott and Dawn were wonderful and helped ease her worry with reassuring words and by answering every question she had. The Mohs surgery took place in April 2018. These often take 2–3 times to surgically remove the affected area, but Gwyn says it took six times to get a clear margin around the tumor. Dr. Scott was patiently waiting for Gwyn at the hospital following the Mohs procedure, which took a few hours longer than anticipated.
The team at Eye Plastic Associates is proud to work with and help wonderful patients like Gwyn each day.
After Dr. Scott completed his reconstructive procedure, Gwyn’s husband took her home to rest up and heal. When it came time to have the
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