Environmental Awareness free essay sample

Ecological AWARENESS â€Å"The Earth gives enough to fulfill each man’s needs, yet only one out of every odd man’s avarice. † †Mahatma Gandhi. The ‘Environment’ is a term used to speak to a whole frameworks, geography, and atmosphere. An Environment can be any scale, including worldwide, territorial, nearby, and even down to single areas, and things like structures. Frequently the expression ‘the environment’ is utilized to indicate the worldwide condition, or a bigger local condition. On a progressively human level, the earth, the air, water, temperature, and science of a specific degree of a spot are what continue us, and characterize the constraints of what we can do partially. Preceding the modern unrest, the neighborhood condition, particularly food and water supplies was as far as possible to human life. Since the modern transformation, it has gotten conceivable to ship both food and water over significant distances, without them decaying or fouling. Certain technologiesâ have made this simpler, just as decreasing the sum ofâ work expected to develop and collect food and water. Further developed haven frameworks have likewise implied that there are more opportunities for settlingâ hostile conditions. As it were, this implies in the modernâ all people are essentially done living in a nearby domain, however just as a feature of a solitary worldwide condition. Natural awarenessâ envisions the expanding of mindfulness andâ understandingâ of the earth throughâ education. The greater part of our populace doesn't know about our limited assets and how rapidly they are being spent. By its very definition â€Å"awareness† implies â€Å"having information or cognizance†. The principle objective of manyâ environmental groupsâ today is to build mindfulness since that is the best way to build up an increasingly manageable world. As needs be, all ecological mindfulness must start with instruction. Today, theâ mediaâ greatly shapes what everyone thinks about nature. Frequently, the news doesn't really expound on the reasons for an occasion, for example, a flood, and invests considerably more energy in the most up to date big name couple or fear based oppressor occasion. Such treatment by the media extraordinarily diminishes the effect of natural occasions. The media is working admirably of making light of an Earth-wide temperature boost, in the event that it is as large an emergency as professed to be. The media needs stories with struggle, character and an occasion, and frequently the liquefying ofâ caps gives no such story, subsequently numerous natural occasions don't make the news. Likewise, the subtleties of the story are at the editor’s straying so they can choose and send realities about natural discussions and clashes that don't really mirror the ecological occasions or mindfulness that ought to be the core interest. There are numerous different elements what gets put into the news, for example, new innovation and the merging of enormous stations. â€Å"The union of media possession under the control of only a couple of huge multi-media organizations occupied with extreme rivalry may result inâ homogenizationâ of the news and predisposition in announcing: natural stories may think that its progressively hard to get space in this specific situation, however when they do they are not prone to make a greater impact†. There is likewise a huge increment in dynamic natural gatherings today that have increasedâ advertisingâ and mindfulness in ads and online locales. Numerous writers have put out books clarifying what is happening, attempting to catch a crowd of people that cares and affect activity. The vast majority of our populace today is as yet ignorant of the impacts of contaminating or the danger to ourâ freshwaterâ resources and through instruction and expanding mindfulness ideally a giant change will come about our general public. Protection of RESOURCES Conservation represents numerous things. The preservation development (which started in the U. S. what's more, British India in the mid-nineteenth century) has in every case fundamentally been related with the security of the earths common assets, natural life and environment. The developing pattern nowadays is to incorporate the protection development into the more far reaching and widely inclusive natural development that has to a great extent been started by the dangers of a dangerous atmospheric devation. Adopting a comprehensive strategy to sparing the earth, huge numbers of todays cutting edge moderates center around everything from contamination and vitality use to environmental wellbeing and serene concurrence with the collective of animals. At the end of the day, similar standards are being shared by what is ordinarily regarded the biology development, green development, harmony development and natural development. Its no fortuitous event that one of the most well known gatherings working for the sake of these goals calls themselves Green Peace. Water protection can be characterized as (an) any helpful decrease in water misfortune, use or waste just as the safeguarding of water quality, (b) a decrease in water utilize achieved by execution of water preservation or water proficiency measures or, (c) improved water the board rehearses that lessen or upgrade the valuable utilization of water. A water preservation measure is an activity, conduct change, gadget, innovation, or improved plan or procedure actualized to decrease water misfortune, waste, or use. Water efficiencyâ is an apparatus of water preservation. That outcomes in increasingly proficient water use and along these lines decreases water request. The worth and cost-adequacy of a water productivity measure must be assessed corresponding to its consequences for the utilization and cost of other regular assets (e. g. Vitality or synthetic substances). Water can be preserved from various perspectives and the majority of us know about those methods. It is our obligation to really actualize those in our day by day life. Practices in homes like shutting the shower while not remaining under it, staying away from superfluous flushing the can, checking for spillage in pipes, shutting the tap while not utilizing, and so forth. Specialized strategies like water gathering, instructing individuals in provincial regions about water preservation, and so forth are additionally valuable in rationing water. Soil conservationâ is a lot of the executives techniques for anticipation ofâ soilâ beingâ erodedâ from the Earth’s surface or getting synthetically modified by overuse,â acidification,â salinizationâ or other chemicalâ soil defilement. Soil Conservation is particularly significant in country India, where the disintegration of the developed fields, disregarded fields and badlands, impressive side of the road disintegration, all things considered, happens inferable from the inadequate interstate building. Soil Conservation alludes to hold broad vegetation on the dirt. Vegetation is the defensive spread against the powers of wind and water, which shields the dirt from being washed or overwhelmed and saving the physical and hydrographical parity of nature. Backwoods, for example, give the best security against disintegration on slope inclines. They sever the power of run by hindering the progression of water down the inclines and by engrossing enormous amounts of it in their thick tangle of undergrowth. Trees are the prime mode of soil preservation; they go about as windbreaks, diminishing the power of the breeze, and the grasses tie the sandy soils. Decimation of trees and regular grasses in dry zones has comparable unsafe impacts. Enormous zones in the flanking regions of deserts are in this way rendered barren by the statement of sand. Afforestation and safeguarding of woods by logical woodland the board and improvement of land use rehearses on ranch lands are some more methods of soil protection rehearsed in India. This incorporates such measures as furrowing along the forms and strip-trimming on slanting terrains; legitimate harvest turns; utilization of sufficient excrements and manures; dealing with fallows and other unfarmed lands. Certain building measures are additionally types of soil preservation. Vitality conservationâ refers to endeavors made to decrease vitality utilization. Vitality protection can be accomplished through increasedâ efficient vitality use, related to decreasedâ energy consumptionâ and/or diminished utilization from traditional vitality sources. India’s vitality force per unit of GDP is around 3. times that of Japan, 1. multiple times that of rest of Asia and 1. multiple times that of USA. It shows a high measure of vitality wastage and furthermore gives a thought regarding capability of vitality sparing that can be accomplished. Vitality protection can result in increasedâ financial capital,â environmentalâ quality,â national security, individual, andà ¢ human comfort Individuals and associations that are directâ consumers of vitality decide to preserve vitality to lessen vitality costs and promoteâ economic security. Mechanical and business clients can build vitality use productivity to maximizeâ profit. Oil Conservation Research Association (PCRA) is an Indian government body occupied with advancing vitality productivity and preservation in different social statuses. In the ongoing past PCRA has done broad communications crusades in TV, radio print media. An effect evaluation study by an outsider uncovered that due to these uber crusades by PCRA, generally speaking mindfulness level have gone up prompting sparing of petroleum derivatives worth crores of rupees other than decreasing contamination. Authority of Energy Efficiencyâ is an Indian administrative association answerable for advancing vitality proficiency and protection. Instructive projects on the vitality preservation should focus on understudies in schools and universities to create understanding about capacities, expenses and effect of various vitality sources and viable parts of vitality, for example, accessibility. This should consider contemplations in regards to climatic and social states of the districts. The understudies ought to be urged to make recommendations to take care of the vitality issues through experimentation, advancement and all encompassing methodology adjusting to nearby circumstance. Mindfulness about vitality preservation and sparing in younger students of any age can be brought t

Brazilian Jujitsu Vs Kickboxing Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Brazilian Jujitsu Vs. Kickboxing Essay, Research Paper Look at A ; Contrast Essay The developing of arranged soldierly craftsmanship signifiers over the Earth leaves an unsurmountable figure of surveies for one to take. Climate for self-preservation or individual advantages the extent of Art signifiers are each piece different as they are broad. The high caliber of one craftsmanship signifier over another can be simple contended. Having considered the humanistic controls of Thai kickboxing and Brazilian jujutsu, I have decided the last of the two to be the more solid fighting craftsmanship. The two craftsmanship signifiers both start in Asia. Kickboxing started in the Southeast Asiatic province of Thailand, and has traversed numerous pieces of the universe where it has been altered by different civic establishments bring forthing alone sub humanistic teaches, for example, American kickboxing. Jujitsu follows its ways back to antediluvian Japan. At long last Nipponese jujutsus made its way to Brazil where it has been changed in the course of the most recent couple of hundreds of years into present day Brazilian jujutsu. We will compose a custom exposition test on Brazilian Jujitsu Vs Kickboxing Essay Research Paper or then again any comparative theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page There are two significant various kinds of soldierly humanistic controls, striking humanistic trains and adapting humanistic orders. Kickboxing is what is known as a sensational craftsmanship, and jujutsu is a catching workmanship. Kickboxing comprises of a progression of quick blows, using arranged pieces of the natural structure, for example, the cubituss, articulatio genuss, shins, and the caput. Jujitsu uses the use of grouped bolts and holds that can be utilized to quickly intrude on the appendages of a resistance or render them oblivious. Kickboxing incorporates a group of quick moving and focuses on the idea of using the solid pieces of you R natural structure to stifle your resistance in an armada invasion. Jujitsu is a progressively protective and seemingly increasingly capable craftsmanship that depends on patience and gaining by a resistances violative mistakes. The mastery of jujutsu over kickboxing can be made unmistakably obvious in a theoretical caput to head matchup of each piece concentrated inverse numbers. The kick-fighters achievement would trust, as it were, upon the underlying communication of the fight ; looking to bewilder the restriction right away with a quick assault of work stoppages. On the off chance that the kick-fighter associates determinedly so the fight might be over right off. Anyway useful in a road fight this move is only from time to time as fruitful against a prepared grappler, for example, a jujitsu understudy. A rapid attack leaves the kickboxer defenseless against a bring down or toss from his enemy, ordinarily non a hard move on a striker who is non used to supporting such animosity. Once on the land the kickboxers work stoppages lose pretty much the entirety of their deadly force with no buy behind the blows they toss. It is currently everything except over as the grappler assumes responsibility for the stri ker, who has almost no cognizance of land battle, and coatings him simple. Contending the Superiority of any dynamic workmanship over anthers a contention that will ever populate on each piece long as fighting exists. The skill and quality of the striker versus the avoidance and timing of the grappler may non follow in a similar outcome for each fight, however from general understanding and about utilization the effectivity of the specialty of Jujitsu enormously exceeds that of kick-boxing.

What do Bill Gates, a pop singer and a wrestler all have in common!

What do Bill Gates, a pop singer and a wrestler all have in common! Our friends in Brazil, the Lemann Foundation, recently asked some twenty celebrities about their favorite way to learn math, and they shared some really touching thoughts about Khan Academy and why they love using it. We thought it would be fun to share them with you, too. Bill Gates, for instance, stressed the fact that Khan Academy is a great tool for one`s learning adventure, saying that the “breath of stuff is incredible and the explanations are clear”. He also pointed out that he uses Khan Academy to remind himself about certain concepts and with his kids “when things are complicated for them” - which makes us feel better about forgetting things, too! This year, over two million Brazilians used Khan Academy to study and learn - we’re so excited that they’re enjoying the Portuguese site. Em diante! â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"- O que Bill Gates, Anitta e Anderson Silva têm em comum? A equipe responsável pela Khan Academy no Brasil recentemente perguntou para mais de 20 celebridades do mundo da música, das artes e do entretenimento sobre sua maneira favorita de estudar matemática e eles compartilharam os benefícios de estudar com a Khan Academy de forma gratuita e empolgante. O grupo inclui ídolos nacionais e internacionais, como Bill Gates, a cantora Anitta e o campeão de MMA Anderson Silva. Aqui você pode ver alguns desses vídeos. O Bill Gates, por exemplo, falou que o site é uma excelente ferramenta na aventura do conhecimento - “a quantidade de conteúdo é incrível, as explicações são simples”. Ele apontou que tem acessado a Khan para se lembrar de alguns conceitos e que seus filhos também usam “quando têm alguma dificuldade” â€" o que nos faz sentir melhor quanto esquecemos as coisas também! Esse ano já são mais de dois milhões de brasileiros estudando e aprendendo com a Khan Academy! Estamos super entusiasmados com o sucesso do site no Brasil!

Biography of Spartacus, a Slave Who Led a Revolt

Spartacus (approximately 100–71 BCE), was a gladiator from Thrace who led a major revolt against Rome. Little is known about this fighting slave from Thrace beyond his role in the spectacular revolt that became known as the Third Servile War (73–71 BCE). Sources agree, however, that Spartacus had once fought for Rome as a legionnaire and was enslaved and sold to become a gladiator. In 73 BCE, he and a group of fellow gladiators rioted and escaped. The 78 men who followed him swelled to an army of more than 70,000, which terrified the citizens of Rome as it plundered Italy from Rome to Thurii in present-day Calabria. Fast Facts: Spartacus Known For: Leading a slave revolt against the Roman governmentBorn: Exact date unknown but believed around 100 BCE in ThraceEducation: Gladiatorial school in Capua, north of NaplesDied: Believed in 71 BCE at Rhenium Early Life While little is known about Spartacuss early life, it is believed that he was born in Thrace (in the Balkans). It is likely that he actually served in the Roman Army, though it is unclear why he left. Spartacus, perhaps a captive of a Roman legion and perhaps a former auxiliary himself, was sold in 73 BCE into the service of Lentulus Batiates, a man who taught at a ludus for gladiators in Capua, 20 miles from Mount Vesuvius in Campania. Spartacus trained at the gladiatorial school in Capua. Spartacus the Gladiator In the same year that he was sold, Spartacus and two Gallic gladiators led a riot at the school. Of the 200 slaves at the ludus, 78 men escaped, using kitchen tools as weapons. In the streets, they found wagons of gladiatorial weapons and confiscated them. Now armed, they easily defeated the soldiers who tried stopping them. Stealing military-grade weapons, they set out south to Mount Vesuvius. Three Gallic slaves—Crixus, Oenomaus, and Castus—became, along with Spartacus, the leaders of the band. Seizing a defensive position in the mountains near Vesuvius, they attracted thousands of slaves from the countryside—70,000 men, with another 50,000 women and children in tow. Early Success The slave rebellion happened at a moment when Romes legions were abroad. Her greatest generals, the consuls Lucius Licinius Lucullus and Marcus Aurelius Cotta, were attending to the subjugation of the Eastern kingdom of Bithynia, a recent addition to the republic. The raids carried out in the Campanian countryside by Spartacus men fell to local officials to mediate. These praetors, including Gaius Claudius Glaber and Publius Varinius, underestimated the training and ingenuity of the slave fighters. Glaber thought he could lay siege to the slave redoubt at Vesuvius, but the slaves dramatically rappelled down the mountainside with ropes fashioned from vines, outflanked Glabers force, and destroyed it. By the winter of 72 BCE, the successes of the slave army alarmed Rome to the degree that consular armies were raised to deal with the threat. Crassus Assumes Control Marcus Licinius Crassus was elected praetor and headed to Picenum to put an end to the Spartacan revolt with 10 legions, some 32,000 to 48,000 trained Roman fighters, plus auxiliary units. Crassus correctly assumed the slaves would head north to the Alps and positioned most of his men to block this escape. Meanwhile, he sent his lieutenant Mummius and two new legions south to pressure the slaves to move north. Mummius had been explicitly instructed not to fight a pitched battle. He had ideas of his own, however, and when he engaged the slaves in battle, he suffered defeat. Spartacus routed Mummius and his legions. They lost not only men and their arms, but later, when they returned to their commander, the survivors suffered the ultimate Roman military punishment—decimation, by order of Crassus. The men were divided into groups of 10 and then drew lots. The unlucky one in 10 was then killed. Meanwhile, Spartacus turned around and headed toward Sicily, planning to escape on pirate ships, not knowing that the pirates had already sailed away. At the Isthmus of Bruttium, Crassus built a wall to block Spartacus escape. When the slaves tried to break through, the Romans fought back and killed about 12,000 of the slaves. Death Spartacus learned that Crassus troops were to be reinforced by another Roman army under Pompey, brought back from Spain. In desperation, he and his slaves fled north, with Crassus at their heels. Spartacus escape route was blocked at Brundisium by a third Roman force recalled from Macedonia. There was nothing left for Spartacus to do but to try to beat Crassus army in battle. The Spartacans were quickly surrounded and butchered, although many men escaped into the mountains. Only 1,000 Romans died. Six thousand of the fleeing slaves were captured by Crassus troops and crucified along the Appian Way, from Capua to Rome. Spartacus body was not found. Because Pompey performed the mopping-up operations, he, and not Crassus, got credit for suppressing the rebellion. The Third Servile War would become a chapter in the struggle between these two great Romans. Both returned to Rome and refused to disband their armies; the two were elected consul in 70 BCE. Legacy Popular culture, including the 1960 film by Stanley Kubrick, has cast the revolt led by Spartacus in political tones as a rebuke to slavery in the Roman republic. There is no historical material to support this interpretation, nor is it known whether Spartacus intended for his force to escape Italy for freedom in their homelands, as Plutarch maintains. The historians Appian and Florian wrote that Spartacus intended to march on the capital itself. Despite the atrocities committed by Spartacus forces and the splintering of his host after disagreements among the leaders, the Third Servile War inspired revolutions successful and unsuccessful throughout history, including Toussaint Louvertures march for Haitian independence. Sources Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. â€Å"Spartacus.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 22 Mar. 2018. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. â€Å"Third Servile War.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 7 Dec. 2017. â€Å"History - Spartacus.† BBC.

The Political Ideals Of Pierre Trudeau - 2989 Words

Essay: What were the political ideals of Pierre Trudeau? To what extent did he live up to those ideals during his years as Prime Minister? INTRO Pierre Philippe Yves Elliot Trudeau, better known as Pierre Trudeau, was an author, a university professor, a lawyer and a politician. Through his political actions, as well as through his personality, he stimulated a great deal of emotions, both positive and negative, among the Canadian public. Thus making him a very memorable figure. He introduced important political initiatives, which strongly influenced many aspects of Canadian political and private life. His significance is still recognized by Canadians at present, which is illustrated by the fact that in 2004, he was selected as the†¦show more content†¦Thus giving him thereby, an extensive background in politics and economy (Cohen Granatstein, 1998). Trudeau ´s ideals began in his early years, when he met Franà §ois Hertel, one of his favorite teachers, and who inspired him to read authors as Jacques Maritain and Emmanuel Mounier, great philosophers advocators of personalism (Ricci, 2009). Trudeau was strongly devoted to a strain of individualism based on the Catholic principle of personalism and was committed to human rights. He condemned the character of nationalism and argued in favour of federalism as the ultimate form of organization. The strength of Trudeau’s personality and his determination to transform Canada lead him to defend a ‘rational messianism† founded on the idea that Canada had the moral responsibility to defeat Quebec nationalism (Monsterrat, 36) .Many Anglophone Canadians greeted Trudeau’s proposals of a new pan-Canadian identity that would strengthen Canadian unity. Trudeau offered a new image of Canada at a time when British connection had weakened as a result of the disassembly of the British Empire. For Trudeau personalism was defined as, â€Å"the individual enriched with a social conscience, integrated into the life of the communities around him and the

How My Academic Background Will Help Me Free Essays

The centerpiece of my college education was that it offered me a chance to read extensively, develop writing skills and learn to think logically, coherently and analytically. I developed and nurtured these skills inadvertently by participating in class discussions, group work and research papers. These tools have subsequently been useful in my personal and work experiences. We will write a custom essay sample on How My Academic Background Will Help Me or any similar topic only for you Order Now The breadth and depth of my college curriculum offered me the chance to take classes that cut across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. The relevance of such a broad educational preparation to management is that it helps widen the horizon of analytical, service and product possibilities. Nevertheless, I was cognizant of the need for me to acquire work experience to help ground my education in a practical framework prior to enrolling in graduate school. My choice of management as the area of career interest was not fortuitous. My relentless participation in extracurricular activities in college and the insights I gained helping my mother in her small business helped galvanize my interest in management training and MBA education. Hence my interest in a finance and brokerage operations work after college. By virtue of my three-year work experience, I have been exposed to several management challenges and opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, the challenges have reinforced my interest to seek modern management solutions. I am intrigued by the manner in which the various facets of management affect each other including finance, operations, human resources, marketing, strategy and information technology. My career plan has been to seek different experiences by virtue of six-month stints in different departments. In this connection, I have had assignments in corporate finance, brokerage and human resources, culminating in my current position in back-office operations and settlement. In the above roles, certain characteristics have been apparent to me as critical success factors. I have learned that the attributes of teamwork, initiative, sense of urgency and leadership are at the core of success in management activities. In graduate business school, I would seek to explore the intricacies of modern business management efforts, challenges and opportunities. Moreover, I intend to learn about the relationships of the various disciplines within management and how their interplay may be optimized to benefit a particular entity. How to cite How My Academic Background Will Help Me, Essay examples

Pets and Stress Management an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

Pets and Stress Management Forging a beneficial partnership Stress is an overlooked killer. It can lead to elevated blood pressure, heart disease and numerous other conditions. For people who already have a condition, stress can be particularly dangerous. There are many ways to relieve stress, including exercise, psychotherapy and meditation. Need essay sample on "Pets and Stress Management" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The evidence is growing, however, that one method in particular is extremely effective in reducing stress over the long term. That method is Pet Therapy. Pet Therapy may include a clinical aspect or it may simply be ownership and care of a family pet. A substantial amount of research has shown that the presence of an animal is often more stress-relieving than the presence of humans. This reduction in stress can have profound consequences for the health of a person. Not for Everyone Are pets always stress relievers? No. For some, a pet can provide an additional burden to be coped with. Often people choose the wrong type pet for their life situation and personality. This can add unneeded additional stresses. Sometimes the additional work and expense of owning a pet can cause stress of its own. University Students Usually Tell EssayLab writers: Who wants to write assignment for me? Specialists suggest: Order Academic Papers On Essaylab.Com Sometimes the attachment to a pet can actually work against stress relief. A person may worry so much about the welfare of the pet after the person dies or becomes infirmed anxiety levels can rise. For some people, having a pet in the home can potentially cause health problems. Stress and health problems are intimately intertwined. Each causes and reinforces the other. People with compromised immune systems, for example, may have a greater risk of infection being around animals. Some people with allergies could be at risk at well. The degree to which conditions such as these are affected by having an animal in the home is not well known, but a certain number of people are definitely affected. Ironically, there is some evidence that what appears to be a negative aspect of pets can actually be a positive for some. A University of Wisconsin-Madison study conducted by researcher James Gern made some interesting findings in regard to infants and pets: Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergies have a stronger immune system, Gern says. (Davis, 2006) The Benefits of Pets It has long been thought that pets are a stress reliever. For many years, hospital personnel have documented improvements in their patients when animals are brought in by volunteer organizations. Now, empirical evidence is surfacing about how animals benefit both patients and people in general. The actual physiological benefits of pets are becoming clearer with time. The State University of New York documented the health benefits of having a pet for married couples. It is one of many studies that have similar results. The following is typical of the results often found: Couples without pets had higher blood pressure and heart rates, a strong sign that they were feeling more stress than the pet owners. (Allen, 2002) These results are not coincidental. Pets remind us, very bluntly, to let go of our stress. Our stress is their stress, too. Their needs are simple and their appreciation of our care stimulates our nurturing instinct and reduces stress. Pets are not judgmental of us. A study conducted by the UCLA Department of Health Sciences found that AIDS patients who own a pet are less likely to suffer from depression, a condition closely associated with high levels of stress (Rubak, 1999). The study was substantial, enrolling over 1800 subjects. In an article from UCLA Healthcare, the study results are explained: Pet ownership among men who have AIDS provides a certain level of companionship that helps them cope better with the stresses of their lives, said psychologist Judith Siegel, a UCLA professor of public health and lead author of the study. (Rubak, 1999) The benefits of pet ownership extend beyond patients. It can reduce the stress of everyone in the home. That, in turn, reduces the stress of each inpidual. The brief moments we spend with our pets may seem insignificant, but the long-term effect is often greater than we realize. In a time when people are living longer than ever, and often dying of long-term chronic illnesses, spouses and children live under increased stress. Many care for an ailing family member for long periods of time. Research shows that pet therapy is not only beneficial to the patient; it is beneficial for the care giver as well. From a recent study: After six months, those with dogs showed only a small rise in blood pressure when caring for their spouses, while blood pressure in the control group rose nearly 40mmHg on average. (Baker, 2000) Pets also benefit human stress levels in more subtle ways. A pet can facilitate relationships between humans. It can reduce the natural tension levels humans experience between each other, serving as a distraction, conversation topic or source of humor. What is it that causes us to feel this way about our pets? The ultimate cause of our physiological and psychological reactions is still a matter of research. A possible key that validates the role of pets in stress management may have been found by researchers at the Life Sciences Research Institute in Pretoria, South Africa. Their findings include the following: Our research has shown that people who interact with dogs have increased levels of oxytocin and phenylethylamine, hormones that produce pleasant feelings and a sense of well-being. (AVMA, 2002) A Personal Experience Surgery can be a traumatic experience both physically and psychologically. Several years ago I underwent a moderately serious surgery. The recovery was quite difficult and my life had to be put on hold. My mood changed and I was no longer willing to put on a happy face. I appreciated the kindness of my visitors, but I felt alone in my pain. After my return home, I went straight to bed. The next morning I felt a moistness on my face as I awoke. I opened my eyes to see my dog staring at me with an almost human expression. The concern in his face was obvious. At that point, it was almost as if I could feel the serotonin rush to my brain. I smiled for the first time in weeks. Suddenly I felt the need to comfort him, and my pain shifted to the background. That marked a turning point in my recovery. As I sat up, and then began to stand I would see him just checking on me. He began to insist that I play with him, no matter how I felt. I felt a strong sense that he knew what was going on and was trying to take care of me, the same way I had taken care of him for many years. My mood to be alone eventually changed, and I began to relate to family and friends again. Action Steps and Concluding Thoughts It should not be assumed that pet therapy should stand alone as a stress management strategy. Although it has been found that pet therapy can be more effective than some stress reducing medicines, this does not imply one should be substituted for the other. Instead, a holistic approach to stress reduction stands the best chance of success. Pet therapy can be a valuable part of that approach for most people. One can begin pet therapy as simply as petting a dog, feeding birds or watching fish swim. This is a perfect time to remind ourselves of the other stress relieving techniques we need to employ for the rest of the day. Those with health issues should consult a physician first, especially if they are not already used to being around animals. Those considering pet ownership should not enter into it rashly. First, it must be determined if pet ownership is allowed or is restricted within their community. Then, research should be done to match a pet to the owners living situation and personality. Also, the requirements for taking care of the pet must be understood and budgeted for. Some people may find that owning pet is not for them. Taking these simple steps can greatly reduce the likelihood that the pet will cause additional stress. It will also insure a better life for the animal. A pet cant substitute for the human interaction we all need. That is why a person may still need other types of therapy to reduce long-term stress. A pet does provide several proven beneficial elements, like unconditional love and exercise, which can help us benefit from those other therapies. Reducing negative stress can be one of the best things we can do for our health. A growing body of research shows that animals can be powerful partners in that endeavor. Sources Allen, K et al. (2002). Cardiovascular Reactivity and the presence of Pets, Friends and Spouses: the truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine. Sept/Oct; 64, 727-739. Amer. Veterinary Med. Assoc. (AVMA). (2002). Pets, Spouses Compete for Title of Best Stress Reliever: Pets Win. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Nov. 1. Baker, Lois. (2000). Dogs Lower Stress in Caregivers. University of Buffalo Reporter. 32; 9. Davis, Jeanie Lerche. (2006). 5 Ways Pets can improve your health. WebMD [web site]. Accessed 1/14/2007 from: http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/81/97060.htm ICBS, Inc. (2006). Pet Therapy. Holisticonline [web site]. Accessed 1/14/2007 from: http://www.holisticonline.com/stress/stress_pet_therapy.htm . Rubak, Warren. (1999). AIDS patients with pets, less depression. Los Angeles: UCLA Healthcare.