How Pets are Helping AIDS Survivors through Two Pandemics

Bypawzandpetz

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people turned to their animal companions to help them feel less lonely and isolated. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, wanted to learn what role animals played in helping those who had already survived the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and were now dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as well.
Professor Lynette Hart with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine led a study that examined whether long-term HIV/AIDS survivors fared better during the AIDS or COVID pandemic, and if companion animals helped reduce their feelings of isolation, sadness and stigma. The survey involved mostly older males who developed HIV before 1996. “The underlying question in our minds has always been: what role do pets play for people who are so isolated and suffering so much stigma?” Hart says.
Dog Parents Felt Less Alone
Published in the journal Animals, the study found that HIV/AIDS survivors felt far more grief, isolation and stigma during the AIDS pandemic than during COVID. It also found that older men, despite experiencing adversity during the AIDS pandemic, were able to cope better during COVID — especially if they had a dog.
“I don’t think dogs are magically making them better, but dogs are making a difference,” says Hart. “Older HIV/AIDS survivors may also have more coping strategies, and dogs are part of that. They take their dogs on walks and meet people in their neighborhood and remain more socially connected.”
Hart adds that cat parents felt more alone, isolated and unsupported, even though they were universal in saying that their cats comforted them. She goes on to say that supportive pet care service organizations that keep people with special needs and their companion animals together could focus particularly on providing cat parents with greater support.
Many HIV/AIDS Survivors Lack Family Support
Very few of the HIV/AIDS survivors who responded to the survey received family support during either pandemic. “I think it’s important to know that long-term survivors of AIDS are resilient, and a lot of them would say that animals were a big part of that,” says study co-author Ken Gorczyca, founding veterinarian for Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS). “Having an animal companion gave many a sense of purpose in life, especially in the 1980s and ’90s when AIDS was so bad and there was virtually no support from government, or many times from your family.”
The post How Pets are Helping AIDS Survivors through Two Pandemics appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.

Similar Posts

Dealing With Pet Aggression: A Comprehensive Guide

Pet aggression can be a complex issue to manage. This is particularly so because it can often be challenging to determine its root cause. However, understanding the factors contributing to your pet’s aggression and implementing a systematic approach towards managing it can help to mitigate its adverse effects. This comprehensive guide explores how to effectively deal with pet aggression.

Understanding Pet Aggression

Pet aggression is a defensive response or behavior that pets exhibit when they feel threatened or uneasy. Aggression can take various forms, such as biting, scratching, barking, growling, or hissing, and can be directed towards people, other animals, or objects.

Several factors contribute to pet aggression, including fear, dominance, territorial instincts, pain, and frustration. Understanding these factors can help pet owners to identify and address the root cause of their pet’s aggressive behavior.

Steps to Manage Pet Aggression

1. Observation and Understanding

The first step in managing pet aggression is observing and understanding your pet’s behavior. Look for patterns: Does the aggression occur around specific people or animals? Is it related to particular situations, like meal times or when your pet is approached while sleeping? Understanding these patterns can help identify the triggers for your pet’s aggression.

2. Consult a Professional

Once you’ve identified potential triggers, it’s advisable to consult with a professional, such as a vet or a certified animal behaviorist. A vet can rule out any medical conditions that might be causing the aggression, while a behaviorist can provide insights into your pet’s behavior and develop a suitable training plan.

3. Behavioral Training and Conditioning

Behavioural training involves conditioning your pet to respond differently to the situations that currently trigger aggressive behavior. Positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, or petting, can be used to reward non-aggressive behavior, while consistent consequences for aggressive behavior can help to discourage it.

The aim is not to punish your pet, but rather to change its association with the trigger. For example, if your pet becomes aggressive when it sees other dogs, try treating it every time another dog is in sight to help it associate the presence of other dogs with something positive.

4. Create a Safe Space

Creating a safe and secure space for your pet is crucial in managing pet aggression. This space should be a place where your pet can retreat to when feeling stressed or threatened. Make sure it’s comfortable, has familiar items, and is easily accessible at all times.

5. Medication

In some cases, you would need medication to help manage your pet’s aggressive behavior. This is usually the case when the aggression is severe, or when it’s linked to a specific medical condition. Talk with your vet about the best course of action.

6. Consistent Routine

Pets thrive on routine and predictability. Having a consistent routine for feeding, exercise, playtime, and rest can reduce stress and anxiety, which can in turn help to reduce aggressive behavior.

Considerations

Managing pet aggression requires patience and consistency. Progress can be slow, and there may be setbacks along the way. It’s crucial not to react with aggression yourself, as this can escalate the situation and potentially cause harm to both you and your pet.

While all pets can be trained and conditioned to a certain extent, it’s essential to understand and respect the inherent traits of your pet’s breed.

Lastly, while managing pet aggression can be challenging, it’s important to remember that aggressive behavior is usually a sign of underlying stress or discomfort. By understanding addressing the cause of the aggression, you can help your pet to feel more secure and relaxed, which will ultimately lead to a happy and healthier life for both of you.

In conclusion, dealing with pet aggression involves a combination of observation, professional consultation, behavioural training, creating a safe environment, medication (if needed), and maintaining a consistent routine. The ultimate aim is to identify and address the triggers for your pet’s aggressive behavior, and to help your pet feel more secure and at ease.

Best ways to introduce your pet to children

Becoming a pet owner can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. They offer companionship, teach us responsibility, and fill our homes with joy. If you’re a parent, introducing a pet to your children can be an exciting but somewhat challenging task. There’s a range of considerations to ensure the meeting is a pleasant and safe experience for both parties. This blog will provide an in-depth guide on a great way to present your pet to your children.

Preparing Your Pet

First and foremost, it’s important to get your pet acclimated to their new home before introducing them to children. A new environment can be stressful for anypets, so providing them time to explore and become comfortable in your home is essential. It can be especially helpful to establish a safe, quiet place where they can go to if they feel overwhelmed.

For dogs, consider investing in a few basic training sessions before the introduction. Commands like sit, stay, and come back can prove useful during interactions with kids. For cats, providing scratching posts and toys can help them alleviate stress and channel their energy in a positive manner.

Remember, your pet’s behavior may also depend on their past experiences, which can be hard to know if they’re adopted. Be patient, and understand that it could take some time for your pet or pets to adjust to a new environment and people.

Preparing Your Children

Once your pet is ready, it’s time to prepare your children. This starts with educating them about the pet’s needs, personal space, and body language. Teach your children that pets aren’t toys – they have feelings and can get scared or upset. Instruct them to be gentle, and avoid tugging on the pet’s ears, tail, or fur.

Your children should understand that not all pets like to be hugged or picked up, so it’s essential to respect the pet’s boundaries. Show them the signs of a stressed or scared pet – ears back, tail between the legs for dogs, and dilated pupils, ears flat against the head for cats.

It’s also important to discuss the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. Depending on your children’s ages, this might include feeding the pet, cleaning up after them, or taking them for walks. By involving your children in the pet’s care, you’re helping them understand the commitment of having a pet, teaching them empathy and responsibility.

The Introduction

When the day of the introduction arrives, the key is to keep it calm and controlled. Choose a quiet, neutral space for the first meeting. For dogs, it might be best to have the initial introduction outdoors, such as in a quiet park or your backyard, as this could reduce potential territorial behavior.

Allow the pet to approach first. Encourage your children to sit quietly and offer their hand for the pet to sniff – the back of the hand is safest. Let your pet decide when they’re ready to be petted, and when they’ve had enough.

Maintain supervision during the initial encounters. Even the friendliest pet can bite or scratch if they feel threatened, so it’s crucial to step in if you see any signs of discomfort from your pet or unsafe behavior from your child.

Post-Introduction Phase

After the initial meeting, gradually increase the time they spend together, while still maintaining supervision. It’s good to establish routines, such as walks or feeding times, where your children and pet can bond.

Praise both your pet and children when they interact well together. This positive reinforcement will encourage appropriate behavior in the future. Conversely, if you see any problematic behavior, address it immediately but calmly.

Remember, it’s okay if the bond between your pet and your child doesn’t form instantly. Just like human relationships, these things take time and patience.

The Lifelong Journey

Introducing your pet to your children marks the beginning of a wonderful lifelong journey. Owning a pet can bring endless joy, lessons, and memorable moments to your children’s lives. However, it’s essential to regularly reassess the situation, ensuring both the pet and the children are happy and comfortable.

Introducing a pet to your children is not a process to be rushed. It’s a delicate journey that requires preparation, patience, and understanding from all parties involved. By following these guidelines, you’re setting the stage for a harmonious relationship between your children and your new pet – a friendship that could last a lifetime.

Does Your Dog Have Separation Anxiety? Reiki May Help!

Separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem in dogs. Find out how Reiki can help calm your dog’s fear of being left alone. If your dog barks non-stop, destroys the furniture, or has accidents in the house when you’re out, he likely has separation anxiety. Alleviating the problem may involve positive training, behavior modification, and […]

The post Does Your Dog Have Separation Anxiety? Reiki May Help! appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.