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FEBRUARY 5, 2021 IS WORLD ANIMAL REIKI DAY
PANDEMIC PET THERAPY
The day was designated to bring awareness about the healing benefits of Reiki on shelter pets and all animals. It was started by SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association) and teachers and practitioners of the Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki. Shelters, sanctuaries and other animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics, animal groups, animal-related businesses and individuals who love animals are encouraged to organize Reiki events in celebration of World Animal Reiki Day.
People experienced increased feelings of loneliness and isolation from family and friends. Depression and other mental health issues surfaced due to Covid 19. People claimed that their pets or newly adopted pets or “pandemic pets” as they were lovingly called helped them cope with loneliness and isolation. A few surveys were conducted to verify those claims. As pet lovers we know the therapeutic benefits of having pets especially during stressful times and situations. The results of the surveys verified that pets indeed provide therapeutic benefits.
Save the day for local plans for World Animal Reiki Day. Stay tuned for more information.
COVID 19 VACCINES COULD BE ADAPTED TO PROTECT ANIMALS Cats and dogs are not playing a significant role in the pandemic and there are no plans at this time to approve a vaccine for them. The concern is for wild animals such as great apes in the wild and in zoos and sanctuaries, mink, and endangered black-footed ferrets. Mink farms worldwide suffered with severe outbreaks which resulted in massive culling. There is potential for the virus to mutate and to spread to wildlife. Zoetis is developing a vaccine for mink that could be adapted for pets. Scientists are concerned that human contact with wildlife through wildlife trade and deforestation will produce future viral pandemics. www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/do-we-needcovid-19-vaccine-pets
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Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • January/February 2021
The “Pets in a Pandemic” report from Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program explored feelings unique to pet owners during the pandemic. It reported that 86% of pet owners surveyed said their pet’s companionship helped them through 2020 and its troubles, 78% felt less lonely and isolated because of their pet, and 69% responded that having a pet has made them feel more hopeful about the future. A survey conducted by Washington State University surveyed over 4,000 dog owners and the vast majority reported that their pets played a critical role in helping reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. They also shared feeling a sense of hope and nearly 70% shared that the presence of their dogs helped decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. Another survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Zoetis Petcare, a U.S. business unit of Zoetis, was designed to learn more about how new and seasoned pet owners were feeling and to find what some of their experiences have been like at home with their pets. Results showed that 72% of pet owners said they would not have been able to get through the pandemic without their pet’s company. The survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners reported that their pets helped keep their morale up during quarantine and over 81% stated that they felt even closer to their pets during the pandemic. Hug your pet and tell them thank you for helping you get through the stressful pandemic!
Pets are awesome!
