One Health

There's no wonder how strongly bonded we are to our pets considering how so much of our collective art and literature depicts us side by side, with humans and dogs in particular having bonded through co-evolution over many thousands of years. After all this time, we are still discovering ways in which pets are able to read our emotions and even comfort us in our time of need. Here is a study in which dogs respond to the perceived distress of their pet parents. Conversely, the study reveals how strong that bond is when it's the dog that needs help. Another recent study reveals how cats can recognize our emotions through observing our behavior and vocalizations. As a result of domestication, the animals we are bonded with have become greatly attuned to our emotions and act accordingly. You could call these their own brand "people" skills 😁

How do your pets react when you are upset? How would you describe the comfort you have felt from an animal compared to that from a human?

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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
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I have Chance, my service dog and trained to assist me with PTSD and vision. When my anxiety gets high he "alerts me" it is time to remove myself from the situation. He comes to me with "this look" and then he starts applying pressure with his head in my lap or leaning into me if I am standing. When I sit, he lays across my belly and reminds me to breathe and refocus. Which i do, while petting him of course. 


Chance knows things before we humans do. He comforts me just walking around and never loses his patience with me because I forget or repeat things. 

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
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This is very interesting information. 

In response to your question, when I am upset my cat Jasper also becomes upset and I can see in his facial expression that he is worried about what I am going through. The fact that he is witnessing my pain is comforting because I don't feel alone with it, and his presence also makes me feel responsible for taking control of the situation so that I don't disrupt his emotions.

The comfort I get from my cat is very clear and direct because it doesn't involve the exchange of words in contrast to connecting with humans. His affectionate is something I feel deeply. 

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Kade Alexie
Donor Support Specialist
Stray Cat Alliance
CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-28-2024 01:45 PM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: The Comfort of a Loving Paw 🐾

I have Chance, my service dog and trained to assist me with PTSD and vision. When my anxiety gets high he "alerts me" it is time to remove myself from the situation. He comes to me with "this look" and then he starts applying pressure with his head in my lap or leaning into me if I am standing. When I sit, he lays across my belly and reminds me to breathe and refocus. Which i do, while petting him of course. 


Chance knows things before we humans do. He comforts me just walking around and never loses his patience with me because I forget or repeat things. 

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Yes, I could not agree more! There is such a special kind of reassurance that comes from a pet's comforting silence. It is non-judgmental, calming, and loving. One the best ways I have seen it depicted is in the picture book "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld, described as "a cute story to remind us sometimes we just need someone to be present without speaking any words."

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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-30-2024 01:13 PM
From: Kade Alexie
Subject: The Comfort of a Loving Paw 🐾

This is very interesting information. 

In response to your question, when I am upset my cat Jasper also becomes upset and I can see in his facial expression that he is worried about what I am going through. The fact that he is witnessing my pain is comforting because I don't feel alone with it, and his presence also makes me feel responsible for taking control of the situation so that I don't disrupt his emotions.

The comfort I get from my cat is very clear and direct because it doesn't involve the exchange of words in contrast to connecting with humans. His affectionate is something I feel deeply. 

------------------------------
Kade Alexie
Donor Support Specialist
Stray Cat Alliance
CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-28-2024 01:45 PM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: The Comfort of a Loving Paw 🐾

I have Chance, my service dog and trained to assist me with PTSD and vision. When my anxiety gets high he "alerts me" it is time to remove myself from the situation. He comes to me with "this look" and then he starts applying pressure with his head in my lap or leaning into me if I am standing. When I sit, he lays across my belly and reminds me to breathe and refocus. Which i do, while petting him of course. 


Chance knows things before we humans do. He comforts me just walking around and never loses his patience with me because I forget or repeat things. 

------------------------------
T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity

Chance is absolutely my hero! I have a hard time thinking of a gooder boy than him 😁 When emphasizing the power of the human-animal bond, one can never overstate the significance of service pets. I am always astonished by how connected they are to their parents, and how essential they are in providing that much-needed stability. Chance truly sounds like a real-life guardian angel!

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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-28-2024 01:45 PM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: The Comfort of a Loving Paw 🐾

I have Chance, my service dog and trained to assist me with PTSD and vision. When my anxiety gets high he "alerts me" it is time to remove myself from the situation. He comes to me with "this look" and then he starts applying pressure with his head in my lap or leaning into me if I am standing. When I sit, he lays across my belly and reminds me to breathe and refocus. Which i do, while petting him of course. 


Chance knows things before we humans do. He comforts me just walking around and never loses his patience with me because I forget or repeat things. 

------------------------------
T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------