| Americans spent over $32 billion on their pets last | | | | up to him in the opposite direction. As the dog came |
| year - and $25 billion on their children. This may come | | | | closer and started wagging its tail the man became |
| as a bit of a shock, however, we are becoming more | | | | so excited that he just had to pat the dog. A huge |
| and more aware of the emotional and physical | | | | smile beamed across his face as he touched the soft |
| rewards of owning a pet - or especially a dog. | | | | head of the dog who happily lapped up the attention. |
| The converted will willingly tell you that owning a dog | | | | But the owner of the dog became a little alarmed at |
| auto-matically gives you a constant companion, | | | | this stranger and started pulling the dog away so |
| friend, confidante, exerciser and instinctive soul | | | | they could continue on their walk. She pulled the dog |
| re-generator. Yet it is only in the last decade or so | | | | away and walked on, but the man stopped and |
| that we have taken pets seriously medically, much to | | | | watched the dog go. His face dropped, his head |
| our own detriment. | | | | bowed and he just stood there for quite a while and |
| Nowadays though, pet therapy can be a very | | | | watched as the dog disappeared around the corner. |
| important feature of cancer recovery programs, | | | | It was a very sad and moving experience for both |
| prosthetic limb replacement recovery, treatment for | | | | myself and the boys as they saw the scenario |
| depression, speech inducement for severely delayed | | | | unfold. From that time on I vowed I would do as |
| children and of course, just sheer pleasure for the | | | | much as I could to bring people and animals together. |
| elderly in hospices and aged care facilities. | | | | And having our own dog supplies warehouse we |
| However, when you consider how many patients | | | | were in a unique position to be able to help," she said. |
| clients and carers could benefit from the pure love | | | | For every purchase over $20 from its range, will |
| and support of a pet, the supply can never keep up | | | | donate a percentage of profits to the Delta Society |
| with demand - that is, not until now. is a new pet | | | | whose main aim is to incorporate the benefits of pet |
| goods supplier that has come up with what they | | | | therapy into varied programs which target the |
| think will be the answer to the dilemma. Owner of | | | | physical, mental, educational and motivational areas of |
| Adele Sims saw firsthand the effects of having a pet | | | | people's lives. |
| around - or not. "I was driving the children to school | | | | With animal involve-ment in therapy, Delta Society |
| one morning and we saw a man walking along who | | | | has found that both fine and gross motor skills can |
| was afflicted with muscular dystrophy. His walk was | | | | be improved, as can wheelchair skills. It can also dispel |
| staggered and his bad arm swung like a broken wing | | | | loneliness and reduce anxiety, develop leisure skills |
| as he headed for home. We have often passed him | | | | and promote short or long-term memory. |
| on his walks and had become quite accustomed to | | | | The benefits are too numerous to count and now |
| him as he walked up the middle of the road. | | | | there is a way you can support this essential cause |
| "This particular morning we noticed that a woman | | | | whilst providing your own dog with all the supplies |
| with a soft and beautiful golden retriever was coming | | | | that this little hero deserves. |