Looking at your sweet pup wagging her tail beside you, it’s clear she brings infinite benefits to your life. She’s loving and cuddly, and she doesn’t care if you’re having a bad hair day or are wearing the same pair of jeans you wore yesterday. For anyone who doesn’t know how great having a pet is (or if you’re just trying to convince your spouse it’s time to get another fur baby), here are three of the many ways pets benefit your health and happiness. THEY HELP COMBAT FEELINGS OF LONELINESS. During periods of change, especially when the relationships around you are evolving, a pet can provide a source of stability and companionship. In addition, a pet can offer the opportunity to start new friendships with other pet owners and animal lovers. THEY DECREASE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND STRESS LEVELS. Playtime with your pets has measurable health benefits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pets are associated with lower blood pressure levels and triglyceride levels (a type of fat associated with heart disease). THEY GET YOU TO TAKE MORE WALKS. There’s nothing like a dog staring at you with their sweet, sad eyes to get you to put on your tennis shoes and head outside for a walk. Even on days when you feel like hanging out on the couch and watching Netflix, your pet will remind you how much healthier — and happier — you’ll be if you head outside. If you and your family are looking for a pet, consider adopting from a shelter or rescue. Take the time to consider your needs and the needs of a pet and do some research before you adopt, ensuring you can provide a happy environment and life for a new companion. There are also many foster programs that allow you to get to know a dog or cat before you adopt. Talk to us at Surface Creek Vet Center if you’d like some suggestions! THE MANY GIFTS OUR PETS GIVE How Furry Friends Make Our Lives Better The Best Companion
Meals onWheels Goes the Extra Mile A MEAL FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.
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