Guest guest Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 South China Morning Post Dogs are good for your health /Sep 02, 2008 / It is clear from the inflammatory remarks made by Michael Chugani in his Private Eye column ( " Tenants in doghouse over pet requests " , August 27) that he is being deliberately provocative. So, at the risk of playing into his hands, I write to set the record straight about dogs in public housing. Mr Chugani implies that public housing tenants who want to keep dogs are somehow ripping off the system as they should not be able to afford this " luxury " . This is a very short-sighted view. Clearly he has not considered the health benefits that pet dogs bring to their owners – nor the potential savings for the public health care system. We, and other professionals in the field, have long recognised that dogs are beneficial for our health. Simply being in the company of dogs (and cats) is proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The unconditional love of dogs and the " feel-good factor " that comes with it, not only staves off loneliness and depression, it even boosts the immune system. Also, for many elderly tenants, a dog may be their only friend. *Jill Robinson, founder and chief executive officer, Animals Asia Foundation* -- Angela Leary Media Manager Animals Asia Foundation 2/F, Room 04-05, Nam Wo Hong Building 148 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2791 2225 http://www.animalsasia.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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