Pet's are good for us! Samantha Kelley from Blue Mountain Humane Society will discuss some of the health benefits having a pet provides. She will also cover how to adopt a pet from the Humane Society and what resources there are to take care of your pet as they take care of you. If you can't own a pet- that's okay! Kelley will explain how you can volunteer at the Humane Society
The Animal Health Foundation advocates having a pet for health benefits. Here are eight reasons to have a pet:
Dogs help us get more physical activity.
Pets are known to reduce stress and decrease cortisol levels.
Having a pet can lower your blood pressure.
Studies have found people with cats are 40% less likely to have a fatal heart attack.
Pets can help alleviate depression.
A seven-year study showed that babies who were exposed to dogs and cats were less likely to have allergies and risk factors for asthma. (Be cautious and consult a doctor)
Some dogs can be trained to alert their owners if they detect a drop in blood sugar.
Owning a cat cuts a person's risk for having a stroke by a third.
Samantha Kelley is the Volunteer Program Manager at Blue Mountain Humane Society. From fish, hamsters & rabbits to cats & dogs, she has had pets her whole life.
From Chattanooga, TN, Kelley and her family moved to Walla Walla in January of 2022. She is currently an active member in Rotary and AAUW. She enjoys cooking, going to events around town, and of course, being with her family (both human and furry).