What is Pet Therapy?

Pet therapy has recently become popular and is beneficial to a wide variety of people. Common places for use of this therapy include hospitals and treatment centers. When this therapy is performed, the handler of the pets often has certain goals and activities scheduled for the day. “Therapy pets” or “visiting pets” are popular names for the pets associated with pet therapy. This unique form of therapy provides love, companionship, and relief to a wide variety of people.

What Types of Pets Are Involved in Pet Therapy?

While many people think that certain types of pets are needed for pet therapy, it really does not matter what type of pet is involved. Dogs of any breed however, are probably the most popular type of domestic pet involved. The most important factor in deciding if an animal will be useful in pet therapy is if the pet is friendly, obedient, and will interact with those around it. Animals include:

• Rabbits
• Pigs
• Dogs
• Ferret
• Dolphins
• Cats
• Birds
• Elephants
• Fish
• Reptiles

Most therapy pets are small animals.  Excellent pets for this therapy will be polite and tame, even when faced with uncomfortable situations.

It is very important to consider the needs of the animal involved in pet therapy. If your animal will not enjoy being a therapy pet, do not force the interaction upon them.

Who Can Benefit From Pet Therapy?

A vast amount of people can benefit from pet therapy. Common groups of people include:

• Elderly
• Eating disorder treatment patients
• Abused children
• Disabled
• Drug & Alcohol treatment patients
• Cancer and aids patients
• Mentally ill
• Pain & trauma treatment patients

Benefits of Pet Therapy

There are a wide variety of people exposed to pet therapy, and thus there are also a great number of benefits that come from this therapy. Pet therapy provides comfort for the lonely as well as allows a person to communicate in a non-verbal form, increasing relaxation. In some cases, pet therapy has even increased the lifespan of a sick person.
Additional benefits of this therapy include:

• Lowered blood pressure
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved mood
• Non-verbal communication
• Better memory
• Encouragement of nurturing behavior
• Decrease in hospital visits
• Reduced loneliness
• New opportunities to meet people
• Encouragement of physical activity
• Improved self-esteem
• Feeling of importance, love
• Protection from various crimes
• Reduction of small health complications
• Relaxation
• Relieves depression to an extent

Source: http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/pet-therapy-and-its-benefits/

How to Check a Tree’s Health

A tree health inspection sheet is an evaluation tool that calls attention to health changes. Here is how to do it.

Here’s How:

1. Start permanent tree inspection sheet for each tree.
2. Record these five characteristics: new leaves and buds, leaf size, twig growth, trunk deformity, crown dieback.
3. Make a note of any discoloration of leaves over three years – a yellowing of leaves could mean problems.
4. Leaf size and shape should be recorded. Small leaves and abnormal shaped leaves are a problem.
5. A reduction in the extension of shoots should be noted and is a reliable clue that the tree’s health has changed.
6. Deformed growth, mushrooms, and conks on the trunk should be noted.
7. A dying of the canopy or individual limbs should be recorded.
8. Take action with appropriate treatment when a problem is developing.

Tips:

1. Insect activity and spotted, deformed, discolored or dead leaves or twigs, should be noted and watched closely.
2. If you are uncertain as to what should be done, report your findings to you local ISA Certified Arborist or State Service forester for advice on possible treatment.

Source: http://www.stelviopark.it/