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Dogs As Companion Animals |
For decades dogs
(Canis familiaris) have been used to aid humans in tasks
such as hunting, herding and guarding. Dogs have also been used
to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities.
This includes guiding and alerting people with impaired vision
or hearing, and retrieving dropped items for the physically challenged.
More recently, the concept of dog-assisted therapy has evolved
into tremendously successful programs in the areas of physical
rehabilitation and psychological recovery. However, as society
has moved from small rural communities to increasingly large urban
and suburban centers, the role of dogs as mere companions has
increased. More than 30 million Americans live with one or more
dogs, the majority of whom are kept as social companions.
Dogs decrease loneliness and provide opportunities for exercise and social interactions with other people. Furthermore, medical research has shown that contact with dogs can decrease feelings of anxiety and stress, and lower blood pressure. It has also been shown that dogs provide a sense of responsibility in children and an increased self-esteem and competence in adolescents.
Since dogs live 10 to 20 years, people have to be ready to provide them a home for that duration. Dogs must be properly nourished, in good health, and well behaved.
The key goals of this project are to:
