1-800-633-5599( TTD / TTY)
being more physically active because of their pet.
• The most popular ways pets help people de-stress is snuggling( 68 %), making their owners laugh( 67 %) and helping them feel less lonely( 61 %).
The National Institutes of Health( NIH) is also funding large scale surveys to find out how the range of pet’ s people live with and how their relationships with their pets relate to health. According to an NIH, study, evidence supports that dogs may aid in the classroom helping children with ADHD focus their attention while children with autism spectrum disorder were calmer while playing with guinea pigs in the classroom. Kids who read to real animals showed better social skills and more sharing, cooperation, and volunteering with fewer behavioral problems than kids who read to stuffed animals.
Animals other than dogs may also help in other unexpected ways, like focusing attention. One recent study showed that caring for fish helped teens with diabetes better manage their disease. The caretaking routine of feeding and checking water levels for the fish was paired with children reviewing their blood glucose logs with parents. Compared with teens who weren’ t given fish to care for, fish caring teens were more disciplined about checking their own blood glucose levels, which is essential for maintaining their health. When people at an Alzheimer’ s-disease facility dine in front of aquariums with brightly colored fish, they ate more, got better nutrition and were less prone to pacing. They were also more attentive and less lethargic.
Benefits versus costs – being realistic.
While pets may bring a wide range of health benefits, an animal may not work for everyone, and it is important to be realistic about your situation. Pets bring new responsibilities and represent serious commitment. You’ ll need to have the time, money, and energy for a pet as well as a calm environment with routine and consistency. Bringing a new pet into the household should not be done on a whim. Before deciding, it is important to determine what you can provide in terms of resources to care for the pet; this includes keeping only the type and
number of pets for which you can provide a safe environment( food, water, shelter, health care and companionship). Animals that spend extended periods of time outside require habitats that protect their health, safety, and welfare. Considering these factors will ensure you make the best decision for you and the pet.
It is also important to remember that animals can feel stressed and fatigued too, and taking the time to find the pet that meets your lifestyle and home environment is important to ensure it is an enjoyable experience for you and your chosen pet. If you can’ t afford a pet, live somewhere you’ re not allowed one, or are worried about having times where you are too unwell to care for one, there are other options. The simplest option may be spending time with a friend’ s pet; they may be glad to have someone pet sit for a while. Or there are also volunteer opportunities with your local animal shelters and humane societies to consider.
Adanta is your local community mental health center and is available to provide outpatient mental health and substance use, prevention, and advocacy services. To learn more about Adanta’ s services please visit our website, www. adanta. org or call 1-800-954-4782. Adanta is a participating provider in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and offers crisis services 24 / 7 by calling 1-800-633-5599.
Adanta would like to take this opportunity to encourage responsible pet ownership and to promote actions of empathy, compassion, and kindness to animals.
The Adanta Group
CRISIS
CENTER AND 24 HOUR
HOTLINE
1-800-633-5599( TTD / TTY)
Emergency Crisis Line
Adanta Community Mental Health Center is Ready to Help!
If you are searching for help or would like more information about services, call toll free 1.800.954.4782 x 0, visit Adanta’ s website at www. adanta. org, or Adanta’ s Facebook page at www. facebook. com / The. Adanta. Group.
Adanta has been serving the Lake Cumberland area since 1967, delivering quality services to meet the needs of the people served.“ Enhancing Lives” is the Purpose of the organization, and serves as the beacon for being a great community partner and resource through its services, programs, outreach, and presence in the Lake Cumberland and surrounding counties.**
Adanta is CARF accredited in Adult, Child, & Adolescent Outpatient Treatment; Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs; Adult Mental Health Crisis Intervention and Crisis Stabilization; and Adult, Child, and Adolescent Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs; and Prevention.
** Outpatient Clinics are in the counties of Adair, Barren, Casey, Clinton, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne.
The Adanta Group, a contractor with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, provides behavioral health / substance use services with state and federal funds.
April 2025 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 27