Love Your Pet Day
Showing love for others
We wanted to give all us pet lovers the opportunity to show our love for our pets. They do so much for us and pet ownership although, a responsibility provides benefits a plenty.
We're making it easy for you to share your favourite pic of you with your pet. You'll be able to share from February 19th - National Love Your Pets Day on either SPACES or Yapster (look out for more details in your own division). Check out the pics of your colleagues with their pets or join to just browse if you aren't lucky enough to currently have a pet in your life you can still join and share the love 🐾
We've added just a few of the benefits of pet ownership below, have a read and let us know if we've missed any.
Pet Benefits
Increased Happiness Yes, pets can make you feel happier. They can lift your spirits and therefore your mood. It's possible that they will also help bring your family closer together.
More opportunities to interact with others Dog owners know that a walk with a dog can make it easier to start up a conversation. Getting out means you see more people and your dog does too.
Pets help with loneliness Pets can provide a great source of comfort and can help us feel safe especially when living alone. Pet owners testify that a pet can be a great companion.
Get Fit A dog can help with your fitness. Getting outside and playing with your dog helps those steps add up and most dogs enjoy the experience too.
Help reduce Stress Spending time with a pet can help boost our mental health and research has shown that petting an animal can help reduce anxiety and our stress levels.
Help Children Having a pet can help children learn as they witness an animal grow and learn to take on responsibilities. They can get involved in pet training which helps them understand different behaviours. Most importantly they learn how their actions affect others.
Coping with the ups and downs Pets can help get people through personal crisis such as trauma or bereavement.
Life Changing Dogs
Guide Dogs
The emotional bond which many of us feel for our pets is often even more intensive for those with assistance dogs. The dogs, such as those for the visually and hearing impaired, medical detection dogs, dogs for the disabled etc., really do have a life-changing impact on their owners.
In Leicestershire and Rutland, there are around 70 working partnerships supported by Guide Dogs for the Blind. The charity relies heavily on volunteers in roles such as puppy raiser, breeding dog holder, fundraiser; often working alongside staff based at one of the regional centres, including our nearest one in Leamington Spa.
None of us knows what lies ahead. Leicestershire guide dog owners Russell and Jaina both lost their sight suddenly. Lorry driver Russell to an undiagnosed eye condition when supporting a young family, and Jaina to an allergic reaction to penicillin whilst studying for ‘A Levels’. Both admit to initial feelings of hopelessness but with a positive outlook and support from Guide Dogs, they live fulfilled and independent lives. The dogs, who work from age 2 to age 11, learn lots of different routes from their home address, whilst also enjoying lots of downtime, free runs and the comforts of living in a family home.
As guide dog owner Anne, from Blaby, says, ‘Poppy is my eyes, my sat-nav and my best friend!’
Steve Winter Volunteer Leicestershire Guide Dogs