The Cats effect on human health

The Health Benefits of Cats If you've ever used the internet, you know how much humans love cats. But did you know that cats' calm, gentle nature has been shown to have beneficial health effects for people? These traits are now being put to use with therapy cats, who help adults and children that are physically, mentally, or emotionally ailing. Fewer Strokes Some studies show that having a cat can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 40%. Reduce Stress Cats help you relax and take your stress level down a notch. Calming Effect A cat's purr can calm you down and also help relieve pain. 4 Faster Healing If you are sick or in an accident, a feline companion can help you get better more quickly. The kneading massages they give can be beneficial to your health, as well. What Can a Therapy Cat Help With? Therapy cats can provide a little relief for a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional ailments. Depression Alzheimer's Healing Stress Autism Pain Could Your Cat be a Therapy Cat? A good candidate for a therapy cat is: Calm Comfortable with new people and animals Ok in new environments Able to wear a harness and leash Not aggressive Physically healthy Who Benefits from Therapy Cats? Sick Children or Adults Children with Autism The Elderly Children or Adults with Depression Adopt a kitty! With all the benefits of cats, why wouldn't you adopt one today? Disclaimer: You should always check with your doctor or professional healthcare provider before starting or changing any medical treatment. This infographic is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. ZocDoc Sources http://www.catchannel.com/activities/fun/article_22210.aspx http://www.aspca.org/nyc/aspca-animal-assisted-therapy-programs http://www.consensus.nih.gov/1987/1987HealthBenefitsPetsta003html.htm http://www.winona.edu/counseloreducation/images/justine_jackson_capstone.pdf http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/der/branches/cdbb/programs/psad/hai/pages/overview.aspx http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/09/146583986/pet-therapy-how-animals-and-humans-heal-each-other http://www.petcentric.com/Read/articles/therapy-cats.aspx?articleid=eecc8dae-02dc-478e-a7ce-51bac064b050 http://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/case-approach-to-animal-assisted-therapy-and-autism-psychology-essay.php