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Fast facts about service dogs

(Family Features) Service dogs work hard each and every day to protect their human counterparts. Not only are they constant companions, but they are hardworking animals that can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can help lessen the symptoms of posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, for example.

In honor of National Service Dog Month, consider these facts about the four-legged service animals:

Common Misconceptions About Service Dogs
Because they’re often cute and cuddly, it’s not unusual for people to forget that service dogs are working animals, not pets, and they have been individually trained to help people with disabilities. Guide, hearing and service dogs typically accompany a person anywhere the general public is allowed, including restaurants, businesses and on airplanes, providing support as their owners go about their daily lives.

However, a survey by American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, suggests that employees are not educated about the unique needs of customers with service dogs. Nearly seven in 10 (69 percent) retail employees said they never received training from their employer on the questions they are legally allowed to ask customers to verify an animal is a service dog.

Further adding to confusion is a lack of understanding of the difference between service dogs and other assistance animals. Emotional support dogs and therapy dogs assist people in their daily lives, but they do not have the same responsibilities as service animals. For instance, therapy dogs provide affection and comfort to their owners, but they do not have special rights of access in all buildings or public areas. Since service animals often provide mobility assistance or communicate medical alerts, they should always be allowed to accompany their owners.

A Helping Paw
At times, these innocent misconceptions can lead to discrimination against those who rely on the support of a service dog. To combat this problem, American Humane and Mars Petcare, the world’s leading pet nutrition and health care business, created resources, such as training videos, to help businesses better accommodate patrons who have service dogs. Aligning with the Better Cities For Pets™ initiative, the videos and other resources help provide an understanding of the roles service dogs play to help create a world where pets and working animals are welcome across all communities.

“Dogs have incredible abilities, including saving lives and making the world a better place,” said Angel May, corporate citizenship lead at Mars Petcare. “Service dogs are animals that should be celebrated for the good they bring to society, and we hope that increased awareness of their working nature leads to a deeper understanding of their important role.”

For additional information on service dogs, visit bettercitiesforpets.com/servicedogs.

4 Benefits of Pet Adoption

(Family Features) Pets have an incomparable ability to improve owners’ lives in a number of ways, so it’s only right that pet parents do the same for them. That’s why, if you’re considering adding a pet to the family, adoption can be a great choice.

Through pet adoption, you can not only help save dogs and cats from homelessness, but also have the opportunity to experience a lifetime of laughs, snuggles and memories. To unite pet owners with their new furry best friends this year, Mars Petcare celebrated its 10th annual adoption weekend, furthering the Mars Petcare purpose of A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™.

Consider these benefits of pet adoption and learn more at bettercitiesforpets.com.

1. Gain a New Best Friend – When you adopt a pet, you also gain a friend to accompany you on life’s adventures, a family member to share life’s sweetest moments and a therapist to listen when you need an ear. Whether it’s a dog, a cat or one of the many other types of four-legged friends, pets are the perfect sidekicks for activities like walks around the park or cozy cuddle sessions in front of the TV. They also offer comfort and unconditional love during life’s happy moments and challenges.

2. Find the Right Companion for You – Shelter staff are often familiar with the animals, their personalities and their needs, which allows them to accurately match you with a furry family member that’s compatible with your lifestyle. In addition, many adoptable animals are already spayed or neutered and up-to-date on their shots, meaning you won’t need to make a large up-front investment. There are also several programs and events that cover adoption fees throughout the year. For example, the Mars Petcare BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program holds an annual adoption weekend each August, working with local shelters to cover adoption costs. However, it’s important to remember the necessary daily care costs – as well as the unexpected ones – that come with owning a pet. While costs may be lower when you adopt, pet parents still need to invest time and training in their adopted pets to make sure they are getting the love and attention they need.

3. Rescue an Animal – More than 8 million pets end up in shelters nationwide each year, a majority of which are ready to be loving pets or can be ready with veterinary or behavioral care. Through pet adoption, you not only gain a new family member, you can feel the joy of knowing you gave a pet in need a loving forever home.

4. Build a Strong Community – Pets are not only great companions for playing around in the yard, they also offer adoptive families a sense of community. Research from the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition found that pet owners report stronger social connections in their neighborhoods than non-pet owners and experience social benefits such as friendliness, helpfulness and trust between neighbors. Adopting a pet can also provide motivation that pushes you to get out of the house and increase your daily activity.

Photos courtesy of Fotolia

5 Ways Dogs Can Improve Lives

(Family Features) Whether playmates or protectors, the human-animal bond is often a powerful connection that goes beyond pure companionship. Dogs typically have many talents and personas – they can be man’s best friend, a canine companion during a difficult time or even a service dog helping veterans and others through daily routines. No matter the relationship between dog and human, these animals can improve lives in numerous ways.

Consider these five ways dogs can make a positive impact on your life and those around you, and find more information at bettercitiesforpets.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

1. Pets make communities healthy

It’s no surprise that dog owners are more likely to get out and take a walk around the neighborhood. In fact, taking a quick walk with your dog a few times each week can increase general health and may help reduce rates of obesity.

Photo courtesy of Fotolia

2. Dogs can be great icebreakers

If you’re new in town or looking for new friends, use your walks as an opportunity to meet your neighbors and engage with other dogs. Dogs can help make easy introductions to other pet owners and non-pet owners alike, and even potentially help you find your next pet-sitter.

3. Animals can provide a sense of comfort

Some animals are trained to provide therapeutic aid and wellbeing. Therapy and facility dogs help normalize environments, such as hospitals and universities, by alleviating fear and giving comfort during difficult experiences. For example, Mars Petcare’s Better Cities For Pets initiative is working to bring the healing power of pets to more children and families nationwide, including a partnership with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to support a dedicated facility dog and staff position.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

4. Many pets protect those who served

Service dogs can help veterans and others who suffer from post-traumatic stress – yet people may be unprepared to accommodate the unique needs of service dogs. To help educate people on how to interact with an individual who has a service dog, American Humane, which has helped the U.S. military and military animals for 100 years, created a wealth of resources, including these informational videos.

Photo courtesy of iStock

5. Dogs can de-stress the office

Making the office a pet-friendly zone has its perks. In fact, a Mars Petcare survey shows that having furry friends around the office boosts morale and lessens anxiety, giving you even more of a reason to spend all day, every day, with your pet.