Pet companionship healthy for elderly

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--------------------------------Pet Companionship Can Be Healthy Benefit To Elderly(HealthNewsDigest.com)-The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)is joining forces with the U.S. Administration on Aging to celebratethe senior generation. The HSUS is drawing on the theme of "AgingWell, Living Well" to highlight the health benefits of petcompanionship for the elderly."For years it has been medically documented that companion animals,like dogs, cats, rabbits and birds, help people live longer andhealthier lives," said Kelly Connolly, HSUS issues specialist forcompanion animals.Some of the medical benefits from having an animal companion includelowered blood pressure, decreased stress, reduced bone loss, loweredcholesterol levels and improved blood circulation. Pets offerunconditional love and commitment to their owners. Being responsiblefor caring for an animal often gives new meaning to someone who isliving alone or who is far from loved ones."Pets can help elderly people keep an active lifestyle and may helpfill a void left by living alone or away from family," said JosefinaG. Carbonell, assistant secretary for aging at the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services.Seniors may want to consider adopting an older adult animal instead ofa puppy or kitten or rambunctious "teenage" pet. Older pets are morelikely to be calm, already housetrained and less susceptible tounpredictable behavior. Animal shelter staff can help potentialadopters find the most suitable animal for their lifestyle. For moreinformation on pets, pet-friendly rental housing, animal shelters inyour area and related topics, go to www.hsus.org/petsforhealth."The Humane Society of the United States is proud to support theAdministration's efforts to spotlight seniors who are living healthy,active lifestyles, and to encourage others to adopt such a lifestyle,"Connolly said. "Seniors can improve their lives in many ways,including having pets who keep them active and feeling young."---------