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Researched by Taylor M. |
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Introduction
Do
you ever wonder what animals need to stay healthy? In order to learn
about Animal Health and Exercise I helped out at the Central Washington
Humane Society. Dogs need your help to stay healthy to maintain a
balanced diet. They need to be walked daily for great health. Animals
can emotionally improve your health, but only if you spend time with
them. Sometimes people will more likely come and talk to you if you are
on a walk with your dog. I helped out at an animal shelter to improve
my community.
Nutrition
Did
you know that it isn’t recommended that you feed your dog table scraps?
The dogs’ concept for a “balanced diet” is nothing like the humans’
concept for a “balanced diet.” Dogs get good enough nutrition from just
plain dry dog food. Wild dogs get all their nutrition needed from just
raw meat. To dogs “scraps”, the equivalent of “junk food” for humans,
often consist of fat rather than meat protein.
Walking
Taking
your dog for a walk controls its weight and maintains a healthy heart,
lungs, and muscles. A young dog can handle a vigorous walk while an old
dog cannot. If your dog has way more energy than you, just throw a
Frisbee or tennis ball. Anything to get your pup exercising! When you
first start walking your dog, start out slow. Then as your dog gets
better, get faster to get that heart rate going. The only thing you
should feed your dog before a walk or after a walk is water. Do not
feed your dog food right before or after a walk.
A local dog
owner reports, “A lot of people usually hate to walk because it’s
lonely, but if they have a dog, they find it is something they look
forward to doing. And it’s the best form of exercise for people and
dogs.” Forty percent of dog owners say they make friends more easily as
a result of having a dog. British researchers from Warwick University
found that usually when a lone person walks by a dog owner the lone
person tend to have social contact with the dog owner.
Socialization
It’s
always a good idea to get out of the house. Dogs need to get a little
exercise and sniff a stranger or two. Lots of dogs and owners like to
go to Tucson’s “bark parks”. Tuscon has fenced areas where dogs can be
off their leash. Their owners get to sit and chat while their dogs can
play and have a great time. Parks for dogs have been the rage in recent
years. Communities can’t add them fast enough. “I think people come
here for the same reason, and a sense of community is generated out of
that,” says dog lover Kerrie Yarnell.
Having a pet improves your health?
Yes,
as a matter of fact, having a pet does help your health. Believe it or
not, 24 stockbrokers who were given a pet had a reduction in high blood
pressure accompanying stress than did those without pets. Pets can be
emotional lifesavers because they help people adapt. Having a pet
encourages owners to be responsible. Dogs especially encourage
good-risk behaviors. When you walk your dog you tend to have more
contact and interaction, that’s why people want to walk more on average.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, I feel that animals are very important to any city or town.
Animals can be very great companions. I am learning that if you don’t
spay or neuter your pets that they will multiply fast. There isn’t
enough room for all of the stray animals that come into the Animal
shelters! I found that some dogs in shelters require a daily walk
because they are being cooped up in a small kennel. I also found that
it is okay to spoil your dogs. Usually when you spoil your pets you are
giving them better quality treats or food. All dogs should get to
be pampered. If you love your pets, please spay or neuter them because
any offspring you give away means one less prospective owner will adopt
an animal at a shelter. Take advantage of great opportunities like this
to help your community. Thank you for reading my report.
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