Elphie
National Pet Month is a celebration of the benefits that pets bring to people’s lives – and vice versa. It is observed annually in the United States in May and during the month of April in the United Kingdom.
National Pet Month™s Aims are to:
- Promote the benefits of pet ownership
- Support pet adoption
- Make people aware of the benefits of pets for people and people for pets
- Increase public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals
- Raise awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals
It’s Amazing How Our Pets Support Us So We Can Do Great Work
Studies show that pet owners reap health benefits such as lower blood pressure, and they gain the motivation to get outside and exercise. Our loyal pets bring encouragement , and they help us to combat loneliness and depression, not to mention the many ongoing laughs they bring us.
Murphy – Interim Mascot
Pets Relieve Stress
According to Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary, œOne of the ways to manage stress is to challenge your negative thinking with positive thoughts. Animals can help us to relax and help us to focus on the good things in our lives. This will help us to focus positively on any situation. Playing with animals can help reduce our fears and anxieties in any situation.
According to helpguide.org, a trusted non-profit guide to mental health and well-being, studies have also found that:
- Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
- People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
- Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
- Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those without.
- Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
Here you can take a look at the top 10 and the bottom 10 dog and cat ownership states.
Here are some photos of pets behind the scenes supporting the BTP team! They deserve credit during National Pet Month for supporting us while we support you!
Amigo – Assistant Maintenance Mascot
Lily and Elphie
Princess Lilly (camera shy)
Felix and Larry
Lola and Felix
Billy
