Since I am a volunteer at Woods, I know the "Pet of the Week", RAMBO pictured below. He is a sweet older little guy and so needs a forever home. Won't you consider adopting him so he can leave the shelter? Thank you. Connie
Woods Weekly Mews
A Volunteer Publication
August 26th, 2010
This week's featured Pet Pal is Rambo
"There has never been a cat
Who couldn't calm me down
By walking slowly
Past my chair." - Rod McKuen
Since the 1980's research studies have shown that sharing our lives with a cat is good for our health. They can ease loneliness; agitation; help with chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure; give us a sense of purpose through our caring for them; and most of all, provide us with a sense of well-being.
Viva Paws Vegas Baby!! We are happy to report that our first WHS Adopt-A-Thon was a HUGE success! 32 animals went to loving new homes last Saturday, setting a new 1-day adoption record for Woods.
Did You Know? Cats are now serving as Emotional Assistance Animals, helping our brave war veterans heal from their emotional war wounds. The Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver is currently researching how cats can help returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD, an anxiety disorder triggered by a traumatic event such as war, is a very common health issue for our military. Symptoms of PSTD include disturbing memories, emotional avoidance and severe anxiety which can make it very difficult for veterans to function in everyday life. They may be so uncomfortable in social situations that they never leave their homes. And flashbacks of war can be so strong that it is difficult for them to differentiate between reality and memory.
How can cats help? Cats are some of the most extraordinarily sensitive, observant animals on the earth. They sense small changes in the environment and react accordingly. For a veteran experiencing PTSD, a cats presence and its reactions can show whether their anxiety is based on a real situation or part of the psychiatric disability. Knowing the service cat is trained to alert to anything unusual that occurs can be tremendously reassuring.
One Iraq veteran's psychiatrist prescribed a service cat as part of his recovery plan and he brings the cat along where ever he goes. When the veteran begins to get agitated, the cat senses it and climbs up on his shoulder and nibbles his ear - letting him know everything is ok. Another veteran also has a prescription for his Emotional Assistance cat, Patch, allowing him to bring the cat with him everywhere he goes, too - he travels in his back pack. Patch keeps him calm. "He's more than a companion. He gives me lots of therapy. I'll be sitting down and Patch will come up to me and give me a kiss. He provides me with tender, loving care. I was never a cat person. I'm a cat person now." Pretty special...
Something to Celebrate:
Last week's happy tails:
Feline Adoptions- Baby, Elsie, Willow, Slipper, Carole, Jobie, Max, Tex, Beauty, Domino, Miss Marlo, Babz, Marsha, Bob, Colleen, Felix, Wily, Tigger, Sophie, Maya, and Gasley .
K9 Adoptions- Emily Marie, Zeke, Baxter, Carley, Primo, Jaynie, Canela, Freckles, Caddy, Val, Stephanie, Sadie, Scrappy, Shaka, Shiloh, Stellar, Samba and Spell.
I think all true cat lovers will agree with me on this - I don't think that it's just trained Emotional Assistance cats that offer therapy. I think that any and every cat that is loved and allowed to blossom into their full potential is the best medicine there is for whatever ails you. So spend some time with your kitty and soak up the love. Don't have one? Come out to Woods and offer up your lap. You'll see - all cats are pretty darn special...
Linda Beatson
Volunteer Captain
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