DESCRIBE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SMALL ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND PETS
ON SOCIETY Small Animal Management Taken From:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htmhttp://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm
Slide 2
DO YOU HAVE A PET AT HOME? How does your pet enrich your life?
Have you thought about what life would be like without your pet?
Today we are going to identify the influence of small animals on
society, and describe the importance of the small animal
industry.
Slide 3
STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT Pet owners are less likely to suffer
from depression than those without pets. People with pets have
lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without
pets. Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and
dopamine, which calm and relax. Pet owners have lower triglyceride
and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those
without pets. Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than
those without. Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits
to their doctors than those without pets. A pet doesnt have to be a
dog or a cat. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce
muscle tension and pulse rate. Taken From:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htmhttp://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm
Slide 4
SMALL ANIMALS HELP MAKE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Slide 5
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES INCREASING EXERCISE Exercise doesnt
have to involve boring repetition at a gym. Taking a dog for a
walk, riding a horse, or simply chasing a kitten around are fun
ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.
Slide 6
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES PROVIDING COMPANIONSHIP Isolation and
loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse. Caring
for a living animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and
take the focus away from your problems. Most pet owners talk to
their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles.
Slide 7
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES HELPING MEET NEW PEOPLE Pets can be a
great social lubricant for their owners. Dog owners frequently stop
and talk to each other on walks or in a dog park. Pet owners also
meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.
Slide 8
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES REDUCING ANXIETY The companionship of
a pet can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build
self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world.
Has your pet helped ease your anxiety? How?
Slide 9
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES ADDING STRUCTURE TO YOUR DAY Many
pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding and exercise
schedule. No matter your mooddepressed, anxious, or stressedyoull
always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for your
pet.
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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES PROVIDING SENSORY STRESS RELIEF Touch
and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. This
could involve petting a cat or taking a dog for a walk.
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ACTIVITY HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES In pairs discuss pets you
have had in the past. If you have never had a pet, think of a
friend or family member with a pet. List the fun times you remember
with your pet. From the healthy lifestyle changes list, what
healthy lifestyle was most prevalent in the relationship with your
pet? For each of the following types of pets, identify one benefit
of ownership: dog, cat, reptile, fish
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IMPORTANCE OF THE SMALL ANIMAL INDUSTRY
Slide 13
PETS IN AMERICA Three-fifths of American households have a pet,
and nearly half own two or more. Americans keep nearly 17 million
birds, 91 million cats, 74 million dogs, 139 million freshwater
fish, 10 million saltwater fish, 11 million reptiles, and 18
million other small animals Taken From:
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jsh/summary/v040/40.3mintz.htmlhttp://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jsh/summary/v040/40.3mintz.html
Slide 14
IMPORTANCE OF PETS ECONOMICALLY Americans spend more than $34
billion annually on pet products and veterinary services, twice the
amount in 1994. Sale of animals Pet food Equipment Animal Health
Insurance Activities such as shows and competitions Veterinary
services Taken From:
http://www.fecava.org/sites/default/files/files/The%20economic%20importance%20of%20Companion%20animals%2
0report%202007.pdf
http://www.fecava.org/sites/default/files/files/The%20economic%20importance%20of%20Companion%20animals%2
0report%202007.pdf
Slide 15
ACTIVITY ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Using the internet and other
resources, determine the cost of owning a dog for one year. Be sure
to include the following: Initial purchase price Pet food Equipment
Animal Health Insurance Activities such as shows and competitions
Veterinary services
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ACTIVITY ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE What is the overall cost of owning
a dog over the lifetime of the pet (assume the pet lives 10 years)?
Keep in mind that not all expenses will recur each year (such as
purchasing the pet, spay/neuter, etc.). Does this cost outweigh the
benefits associated with ownership?
EVALUATION What are some of the healthy lifestyle changes pets
can make in our lives? Exercise, companionship, etc. What are the
positive benefits of owning a pet? Less trips to the doctor, less
health problems, etc. What is the cost of owning a pet for one
year?
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SUMMARY Today we learned the importance and benefits of small
animals. For those of you with pets, you likely already know the
intrinsic benefits of pet ownership. Hopefully you can now
recognize the other benefits as well as the costs associate with
owning a small animal.
Slide 20
REFERENCES The Therapeutic Benefits of Pets:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htmhttp://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm
Beck, A.M. & Katcher, A.H. (1996). Between Pets and People: The
importance of animal companionship. Purdue University Press. Google
Ebook:
http://books.google.com/books/about/Between_Pets_and_People.html?id=c
od2UA-W-rwC
http://books.google.com/books/about/Between_Pets_and_People.html?id=c
od2UA-W-rwC Mintz, S. (2007). Pets in America: A History. Journal
of Social History. (40, 3, Spring 2007).
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jsh/summary/v040/40.3mintz.html
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jsh/summary/v040/40.3mintz.html The
Economic Importance of Companion Animals (2007). The Federation of
European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations.
http://www.fecava.org/sites/default/files/files/The%20economic%20importan
ce%20of%20Companion%20animals%20report%202007.pdf
http://www.fecava.org/sites/default/files/files/The%20economic%20importan
ce%20of%20Companion%20animals%20report%202007.pdf Estimated costs
of pet ownership: http://www.petfinder.com/after-pet-
adoption/estimated-yearly-costs-pet.htmlhttp://www.petfinder.com/after-pet-
adoption/estimated-yearly-costs-pet.html
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TEXAS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS English Language
Arts: V. Research, B, 1, a-b Mathematics: VI. C, 1, a-b; X, A, 2,
a
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DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP,
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FOR THE
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROJECT FOR AFNR
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2013
Slide 23
Developed by the Department of Agricultural Leadership,
Education & Communications, Texas A&M University for the
Texas Education Agency, Educational Excellence Project for AFNR
Texas Education Agency, 2013