Oh….How we love our pets!!

Phyllis Erdman, Ph.D.Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

(and animal lover)College of Education

and friends

Who could not love that?

We write about them….

We try to figure them out

We ask….Do they really have emotions?

Roles of pets in history

• Chinese legend – over 2500 years ago• Egypt – honored cats and dogs• Greek/Roman empires – hunters, herders,

pets• Peru – valued as shepherds

The sad side

Abuse of pets led to laws to protect them

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - 1866

Our mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.

Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Champion for animals—rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating people to make a better world for animals and people.

American Human Society

The mission . . . . is to ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of children and animals, and to unleash the full potential of the bond between humans and animals to the mutual benefit of both.

How do we show our love

• 79% of families with children have pets• 30% of older people living alone have pets• 65% of cats/39% of dogs sleep in family bed• 80% of people with allergies refuse to give up

pets

• 70% acquired new pets after death of pet• 87% include pets in holiday celebrations• 52% prepare special needs• 53% take time off work to care for sick pet• 44% take pets to work

Transitions

Owners companions/guardians

Dominance based reward based

Coercive training positive reinforcement

Why do we love them?

Physiological and psychological benefits

lower heart rateincreased exerciselowered stressincreased recovery from surgerydecreased depressionincreased social interaction

happier and better people/improves our lives

Emotional benefits

• Forgiving• Accepting• Genuine• Unconditional love• Facilitate human socialization• Better integeration – persons with disabilities• Veterans – healing PTSD• Give purpose

Therapeutic Benefits

Animal assisted activities Animal assisted therapy Equine facilitated psychotherapyEquine facilitated learningEquine facilitated activities Service animalsEmotional support animals/comfort animalsGuide dogs

Therapeutic Roles of AnimalsAnimal Assisted Therapyhttp://www.petpartners.org/TAPinfo

Other Roles

Canine companion and assistance dogs

http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011017/k.2900/Canine_Companions_Assistance_Dogs.htm

Helping with Autism

• http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11171447

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-OnBHXKiU

Wounded Warriors Programs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyYSyUnF8EQ

Equine programs

Therapeutic RidingEquine facilitated psychotherapyEquine facilitate growth and learning programs

PATH, International http://www.pathintl.org/

EAGALA http://www.eagala.org/

And then…we have to say goodbye

•

Pet Loss and Society

• Death denial and ramifications

• Disenfranchised grief

• No formalized support or education

Pet Loss Hotline - WSU

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/pet-loss-hotline

http://wsm.wsu.edu/s/we.php?id=341

Best Friends

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN-MjUC4f9k