| | | Did Looking at these pictures make you smile? | If so you are deeply human. Read on about the human-animal bond.
The human-animal bond can be observed in a variety of settings. Working animals, especially, are known for their relationships with their human handlers. Emotional support, therapy, and service animals provide comfort, offer security, and perform daily tasks to help their owners through life.
Humans, as a social species, have evolved to be attentive to nature and animals, especially animals that have juvenile features, which evoke our nurturing behaviors. The comforts we get from animals provide the social support we desire and need for us to thrive. In a similar way, our domestic animals are social species that find comfort from being in our company. Therefore, it should not be surprising that our bonding with animals has many positive health benefits; indeed, it would be difficult to explain if they did not. All indications are that companion animals play the role of a family member, often, a member with the most desired attributes. Ordinary interactions with animals can reduce blood pressure and alter survival after a heart attack (Friedmann et al., 1980; Friedmann and Thomas, 1995). For some, pets afford increased opportunities to meet other people, while for others, pets permit people to be alone without being lonely. | | FARM ANIMAL FUN FACTS Goats and sheep don’t have teeth on their upper jaw. They have a hard palate that helps them grind their food. Sheep make a bleating sound. A baby lamb can identify its mother by her bleat. One mature ewe (female sheep) produces 7 to 10 pounds of newly shorn wool a year – enough to make a man’s suit. The chicken is the closest living relative to the T-Rex. Some breeds of chickens can lay colored eggs. The Ameraucana and Araucana can lay eggs of green or blue. Chickens have over 200 distinct noises they can make for communicating. Pigs are considered the 4th most intelligent animal (after chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants). A group of pigs is called a “sounder.” Cows can recognize their names (though they may not come when called!) and have a memory of about three years. Cows are social animals who form bonds with each other. In a herd of cows, many will form cliques together. Ducklings are born ready to leave the nest within hours of hatching – their eyes are open and they are able to find some of their own food. Geese are faithful, mate for life, and mourn when their partner dies. Pigs can run 11 miles per hour – that’s faster than a six minute mile! Cows can sense a storm coming and will lie down. Goats have rectangular pupils, allowing them to see well in the dark. Ducks’ feathers are waterproof. A special gland near the tail produces oil that spreads and covers the outer coats of feathers. Pigs don’t have sweat glands, so they must roll in mud to stay cool and prevent sunburns.
| | IMPORTANT THINGS FOR US HUMANS TO REALIZE Biodiversity—the variety of all living organisms including ecosystems, plants, animals, their habitats and genes—is fundamental to life on Earth. We need biodiversity for its invaluable ecosystem services, providing oxygen, food, clean water, fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, a stable climate and recreation. Tragically, today biodiversity is disappearing at 1,000 times the normal rate due to human civilization. Individual species are being obliterated by habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, the spread of pollution and disease, climate change and the over exploitation of resources. And because the human population, which has doubled since 1970, is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, the biodiversity crisis will only get worse as more people consume more resources. What can we as individuals do to help slow the loss of biodiversity? Since consumption of resources is a root cause of biodiversity loss, we can consume less and be more mindful about what we consume. We need to leverage our purchasing power to help protect biodiversity by consuming products that do not harm the environment. | | |
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