Alice Vol. 2 No. 2

People look at
these animals, and
they think one
of two things:
“Oh, how cute” or
“Oh, how sad.”
zations need are committed, regular
partners who are willing to take time
out of each week to lend a hand. Taking
one dog out on one walk one time
helps that dog that day, but neither you
nor that dog feel the lasting benefits
that stem from a sustained relationship
with an animal shelter.
Being near these animals, canine or
feline, and forming trusted relationships
with them is good for you just
like it’s good for them. In a report
published by Frontiers in Psychology,
psychologists concluded that spending
regular time in contact with a cat
or dog increased trustworthiness, reduced
aggression, promoted positive
mood and reduced stress, along with
blood pressure and heart rate.
Not to mention, volunteering at animal
shelter by default puts you in contact
with a group of people who share
at least one common interest – animals.
So while you’re in this stress-relieving,
positivity-inducing atmosphere, you’re
also making connection with others
who care about the same things you
do. And the animals get used to people
and potentially find forever homes.
That’s a win-win if I’ve ever seen one.
Animal shelters need people. People
need animals. Plain and simple. *
Alice Spring 2017 [47]