North Bay Woman

S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 NORTH BAY WOMAN 39 Anyone who has had a pet knows the tremendous bond that can be built. The unconditional love we feel from a kitty purring in our lap or a dog greeting us with a wagging tail even though they've just seen us 10 minutes ago, is hard to quantify or qualify, but the study of the human-animal bond has become so popular there are now organizations devoted to its research. People and animals have a long history of living together and bonding. Perhaps the oldest evidence of this special relationship was discovered a few years ago in Israel: A 12,000-year- old human skeleton buried with its hand resting on the skeleton of a 6-month-old wolf pup. "The bond be- tween animals and humans is part of our evolution, and it's very powerful," says Dr. Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the National Institutes of Health. Interacting with animals isn't just good for our mental health; there are documented medical benefits, too. According to NPR, "One of the earliest studies, published in 1980, found that heart attack patients who owned pets lived longer than those who didn't. Another early study found that petting one's own dog could reduce blood pressure." Rebecca Johnson, a nurse who heads the Research Center for Human/ Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Med- icine, says recent studies have been focusing on how interacting with ani- mals can increase people's level of the hormone oxytocin. "Oxytocin has some powerful effects for us in the body's ability to be in a state of readiness to heal, and also to grow new cells, so it predisposes us to an environment in our own bodies where we can be healthier," Johnson says. For seniors living alone, having a "fur buddy" is especially important. Pets provide loving companionship but also get people out of the house for dog walks or engaging in play time inside with the cat. For families with young children, pets can help teach patience and gen- tleness and can provide kids with small amounts of responsibility in caring for others. And let's not forget, we all faced a lot of anxiety, worry and stress over the past year. We had to go without seeing friends and family, without travel and without group entertainment, but if you were lucky enough to have a pet, you had an abundance of love, affection, purpose and a truly remarkable bond. n "Your Green Resource for Moving & Packing Supplies" 24 Bellam Blvd. • San Rafael 415-454-1983 • www.bellamstorage.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Eco-Friendly Moving Boxes Dish, Glassware & Wine Inserts Bubble, Peanuts, Cushion Foam, Stretch Film, Corrugated Paper & Packing Paper Picture & Mirror Boxes Furniture & Mattress Care TV, Computer, & Stereo Post Office Boxes Cedar Care Products BEST PRICES IN TOWN! Woman Owned Business 100% Solar Powered 100% Solar Powered Monday - Friday: 7am to 7pm • Saturday & Sunday: 9am to 6pm "Your Green Resource for Moving & Packing Supplies" Voted Best Self Storage Voted the Best Local Green Business J READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017 WINNER 7 WINNER Sun: Closed Sat: 10:00am - 6:00pm Mon-Fri: 10:00am - 6:00pm (415)-924-2500 Corte Madera, CA 94925 47 Tamal Vista Blvd, Suite G Corte Madera NothingBundtCakes.com ORDER ONLINE! WE DELIVER!

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