Pets & health

The evidence is clear: pets improve health of their people.  As just one example, a recent article found on MedlinePlus says, "Dogs in the Home May Lower Kids' Odds for Asthma".  (For issues caused by animals, see Allergic to pets? by Shirlee Kalstone.)  In another example, the latest issue of Well Being Journal (available for your perusal at Central Library) has an article profiling an animal companion in a nursing home, and the benefits he brings to fellow residents.

Our furry (or feathered or finned) friends have health considerations too!  MedlinePlus has a page of great information and links, as does the CDC, and here at the St. Louis Public Library we have many excellent books!

Some choices:

• The nature of animal healing : the path to your pet's health, happiness, and longevity by Martin Goldstein
• Caring for family pets : choosing and keeping our companion animals healthy by Radford G. Davis, editor
• The Royal treatment: a natural approach to wildly healthy pets by Barbara Royal, with Anastasia Royal

AND THERE ARE MANY MORE, including books specifically about horses, dogs, cats, and birds.