Health Benefits of Pets

Exploring the Health Benefits of Pets

from the New York Times October 5, 2009

Michal Czerwonka for The New York Times

INTERACTION Tommy Conforti, a cancer patient, and Lady, a therapy dog.

By CARLA BARANAUCKAS

When Chad, a yellow Labrador retriever, moved in with Claire Vaccaro’s family in Manhattan last spring, he already had an important role. As an autism service dog, he was joining the family to help protect Ms. Vaccaro’s 11-year-old son, Milo — especially in public, where he often had tantrums or tried to run away.

Like many companion animals, whether service dogs or pets, Chad had an immediate effect — the kind of effect that is noticeable but has yet to be fully understood through scientific study. And it went beyond the tether that connects dog and boy in public.

“Within, I would say, a week, I noticed enormous changes,” Ms. Vaccaro said of Milo, whose autism impairs his ability to communicate and form social bonds. “More and more changes have happened over the months as their bond has grown. He’s much calmer. He can concentrate for much longer periods of time. It’s almost like a cloud has lifted.”

Dr. Melissa A. Nishawala, clinical director of the autism-spectrum service at the Child Study Center at New York University, said she saw “a prominent and noticeable change” in Milo, even though the dog just sat quietly in the room. “He started to give me narratives in a way he never did,” she said, adding that most of them were about the dog.

The changes have been so profound that Ms. Vaccaro and Dr. Nishawala are starting to talk about weaning Milo from some of his medication.

Anecdotes abound on the benefits of companion animals — whether service and therapy animals or family pets — on human health. But in-depth studies have been rare. Now the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health, is embarking on an effort to study whether these animals can have a tangible effect on children’s well-being.

In partnership with the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in England (part of the Mars candy and pet food company), the child health institute is seeking proposals that “focus on the interaction between humans and animals.” In particular, it is looking for studies on how these interactions affect typical development and health, and whether they have therapeutic and public-health benefits. It also invites applications for studies that “address why relationships with pets are more important to some children than to others” and that “explore the quality of child-pet relationships, noting variability of human-animal relationships within a family.”

The national institutes’ interest in this type of research goes back at least two decades. Valerie Maholmes, who directs research on child development and behavior at the children’s health institute, said that at a broad-ranging meeting in 1987 on the health benefits of pets, the N.I.H. “concluded that there needed to be much more research,” especially on child development.

Other sessions confirmed the need for research, but most studies focused on negative interactions, like the ways pets could spread disease, said James A. Griffin, the institute’s deputy chief of child development and behavior.

Meanwhile, the Waltham Center was expanding its own research to do some small studies about human-animal interaction, said Catherine E. Woteki, global director of scientific affairs for Mars Inc. “We are a pet food company and pet care company,” Dr. Woteki said, “and we’re interested in seeing that that relationship stays a strong one.”

Reviews of the Waltham research program indicated that larger studies over longer terms with appropriate control groups were needed. When Mars became aware of the institutes’ interest in this type of research, a public-private partnership was established, with the company committing more than $2 million. The National Institute of Nursing is also providing money.

Peggy McCardle, chief of the institutes’ child development and behavior branch, said the money from Mars helped jump-start the efforts. Dr. McCardle added that the N.I.H. had established protocols for public-private partnerships and that all proposals got two levels of review before being approved.

People working with animals expect the research to back up their observations. At Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Southern California, for instance, dozens of volunteers regularly take their dogs to visit patients. Children being treated for serious illnesses often have the blues, anxiety or depression. “The dogs brighten them up,” said Emily Grankowski, who oversees the pet therapy program at the hospital.

Some patients who have refused to speak will talk to the dogs, she said, and others who have refused to move often reach for the dogs so they can pet them. So the animals become part of the therapeutic program, especially in the areas involving speech and movement.

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” said Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” (Da Capo, 2008) chronicles human-animal interactions. “We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

Such observations are not new at Autism Service Dogs of America, which brought Milo and Chad together. “Many children with autism can’t relate to a human,” said its director, Pris Taylor, “but they can relate to a dog.”

KTLA Channel 5 Morning News Segment

Although cut short the segment was awesome! Take a look!

This morning I was out the door at about 5:59 to get everything ready to be on the air at KTLA at 9:40 with 4 rescue dogs- Carmen the Chihuahua Yorkie mix, Herbie the Beagle/Jack Russell Mix, Sasquatch the Chow, and Pasqualina the Great Dane/Italian Mastiff mix. I was on to promote my book, The Complete Single’s Guide To Being a Dog Owner and brought the dogs on to share what kind of single person would be a good match for him or her.

While I had been a segment producer for years, and hosted on camera for Video Voter many times, today was my first time on live TV talking on my own stuff and I have to admit I was somewhat nervous. Would I get through it? Would I look fat on TV– that was a big one and would Mark Kriski be nice to me!

Not to mention the old addage that you should never work with animals or children! With the excpetion of two- Herbie and Carmen who live together… in Eagle Rock where I had to be in time to get them, get to Studio City to introduce them to Amy’s fostered Mastiff Pasqualina (to avoid drama) and then to Hollywood to the studio all before 8:30 and without coffee… these dogs didn’t know one another. There was the potential for all sorts of drama, thankfully none of which happened!

It was a great success and I thank everyone at KTLA, particularly because we have already gotten calls on the dogs!

News Piece on My Book Party!

Last night I had the launch party for my new book, The Complete Single’s Guide To Being A Dog Owner. Here is a news piece that ran on KCAL-9 News!

Fun Day at the Silver Spoon Dog & Baby Buffet!

Pasqualina in pearls

Collar Wallet

Haute Puppy

Barzini & Pasqualina

Barzini

Meet Barzini & Pasqualina! They are both at least mostly Neapolitan Mastiffs. Barzini is definitely a purebred Neo, but Pasqualina we’re not quite as sure about. We think she is a Neo/Great Dane Mix.

They are both between 1 & 2 years old and are sweet as pie. We got Barzini out of the shelter about a year ago and he was quite a sick puppy. We weren’t sure if he was going to make it in fact. He was listless and weak. But Amy has a way of turning these big guys around. Neos and French Mastiffs are just so sensitive! He still has a bit of juvenile arthritis, but he is a happy healthy boy for the part.

Pasqualina

Pasqualina was found eating garbage in an alley. All but a few patches of her hair was gone due to a non-contagious form of mange which happens as a result of malnutrition at a young age. Again, the amazing Amy has been nursing Pasqualina back to health; giving her ground flax seed and a raw diet.

Fingers crossed these big loves will find their forever homes tomorrow at The Silver Spoon Dog and Puppy Buffet!

Baby & Puppy Buffet is tomorrow!

I’m so excited for tomorrow! I’ll be going to the annual Dog & Baby Buffet! It’s an amazing gifting event put on by The Silverspoon; the innovators of the celebrity gifting suite.  It works like this: The Silverspoon (which is run by a childhood friend Melissa Lemer, and her partner Loren Bendinskas) rounds up the most fabulous brands to showcase to celebrities, other LA insiders and the press and proceeds from the event goes to benefit charities.

As the event showcases many dog goodies, Melissa and Lorena always include a few rescue groups in the mix, and tomorro Amy and I will be one of the groups!

Otto

We are bringing three rescues to the event; Mastiffs Barzini and Pasqualina, and our ancient three legged Pomeranian Otto.  Amy found him in the street with a broken leg and we raised the money to pay for his broken leg to be amputated. He barely notices that it’s missing and he likes to beat up on the other dogs at Amy’s house! At 5 lbs, 12+ years and with three legs, he is the alpha of the pack!

The other group that is coming  tomorrow is from a new hybrid store which sells puppies from the shelter instead of from puppy mills or backyard breeders.  I can’t remember the name right now, but will post it tomorrow with pictures!

Barzini & Pasqualina

My own Marley & Me

Sitting in bed last night watching TV, I had an ah-ha moment…I have adopted my own Marley.

Marley & Me

It’s amazing, and in fact borderline embarrassing that it never occurred to me before. Ranger is not only the spitting image of Marley but he is also quite a mischevious puppy!  He isn’t as the destructive as his fellow Yellow Lab brother Marley, but Ranger’s puppy personality is a’coming out, so the jury may still be out on that one!

When we first got Ranger a few weeks ago, he was playful but quite happy with our routine of a few long walks everyday. But no more!

Yesterday, Ranger went on his morning walk with me. Spent the day with my Mom who took him on two long walks and then he accompanied me to a meeting after work.

Ranger with my Parents' Dogs

When we stopped at my parent’s house after the meeting, you’d have thought he had been kept in a cage all day! He ran around the yard doing circles and scooting along the grass like a crazy man. It was what I call a puppy fit, but of course Ranger is supposed to be closer to middle age than puppyhood. 

But maybe, again like his kin Marley, the lab that never grew up; maybe this is who Ranger is? And if that is so, we will love him and exercise him accordingly, because if I’ve learned one thing in all my rescue work, dog book writing, and time with Bella…
A GOOD DOG IS A TIRED DOG!!!

Ranger Goes to Laurel Canyon Dog Park

Sensing that Ranger had a bit of pent up energy- he tried to eat my glasses, destroy a sock and he managed to do a number on a bowl of blueberries which were sitting on the kitchen counter, I decided today would be our  first family trip to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park–me, Andre and Ranger!

Laurel Canyon Dog Park

When I was younger and I brought my parent’s dog to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park all the time, and I never really gave it a second thought. But now, after close to a decade of having a dog that didn’t really like other dogs, and having heard all the horror stories, I have to admit I was nervous.

Thankfully, aside from Ranger’s complete disregard for me, my commands or my attempts to stop him from running up the side of the hill- don’t worry it’s totally fenced– I’d say it was a complete success!

He played beautifully with dogs of all shapes and sizes- including one adorable spaniel mix named Nino, who felt it necessary to make Ranger his bitch. But all in all Ranger took everything in stride. It was me and Andre who were stressed out.

In hindsight, I realize 3pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon might not have been the most mellow time to take our first trip to the dog park, as it was was chock full of Hollywood types including Kevin Connolly who I’m pretty sure I saw roll in as we were leaving. Yet all things considered, it went great!  Our little man Ranger enjoyed himself and hopefully that means we can make it through the rest of the day with our apartment mostly in tact!

Who Says You Can’t Take Them With You?

Casper, Angelita & Gizmo in a Stroller!

Last night I stopped by a signing for a very funny book –The A-List Playbook– by E!’s Answer Bitch (Leslie Gornstein) at Barnes & Noble at The Grove.  The book event space (where I hope to have a book signing myself one day soon) is on the third floor.  I got on the escalator behind what I thought was a baby carriage. But as we reached the top floor, I realized there wasn’t a human baby in that carriage, but rather three cutie patootie dogs named Casper, Gizmo and Angelita. Their mommy was bringing them to The Grove for their maiden voyage in their new puppy stroller.

Gizmo seemed a little intent on exploring and getting outside the carriage, but for the most part the dogs were just happy to be in the mix! And while well behaved dogs are welcomed at The Grove, because there is a cafe at Barnes & Noble , dogs are not welcomed anywhere in the store. That is unless you sneak them in inside their stroller-i.e. no one noticed or said anything.

Ranger and Friend Auggie

Mickey Rourke thanks his dogs!

http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/01/12/vid-mickey-wins-golden-globe_070924952795.flvMickey Rourke thanks his dogs in his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes!