from emotional support animals or therapy/comfort animals. While the emotional support animals can be helpful for those who depend on them, they are not trained to perform specific work tasks and are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which dictates that service animals are allowed to accompany their owners in places and situations where dogs typically would be restricted (to the grocery store or to school, for example). But it’s not just in undertaking certain tasks that service animals are good for their owner’s well-being. According to the American Kennel Club, service animals provide unexpected benefits—they can help a person through the depression they suffer after a permanent disability, and they can rebuild self-esteem by ensuring that person is able to remain independent.
Are there drawbacks? Remember that the benefits of general pet ownership are for people who already have a natural affection for animals—if you don’t like dogs, then getting a dog isn’t likely to make you healthier. In fact, the money costs, the time needed to care for your pet, the destruction they can cause to your home and belongings, and
their heavy shedding might stress you out even further. People with allergies to dogs and cats will suffer breathing problems and itchy, watery eyes when they’re around them, meaning that they will need to avoid adopting a furry family member unless they choose a hypoallergenic breed (such as a poodle or Yorkshire terrier for dogs or an Oriental shorthair or a Russian blue for cats). Pets can also carry germs and bacteria, so it’s important to practice good hygiene around them—keep them clean and don’t let them lick you on your mouth (as much as you might want to let them). This is especially true for people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Considering a Pet? Even if you’re not ready to bring a pet into your home full time, you can still enjoy many of the benefits of pet ownership by spending more time around animals. Consider volunteering with a rescue organization, such as the Animal Welfare League of Queen Anne’s County. To learn more, visit awlqac.org or call 410-827-7178.
HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH
Does It Matter When You Eat? By Dylan Roche
“You need to eat every three hours to keep your metabolism up.” “Fasting for 16 hours a day will help you lose weight.” “Don’t eat right before bed or your body will store it as fat.” How many of these diet tips have you heard at some point or another? It seems as if everyone has an opinion on how to time your eating habits, whether it’s three square meals a day or six mini meals. But does timing really have any serious effect on weight loss? Well, kind of. While dietitians agree that weight loss and weight gain ultimately come down to the calories you consume and the calories you burn (and that consuming fewer calories than you burn means you’ll lose weight), the timing of when you eat influences the way you feel.
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