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Pets could ‘promote healthy child development’
child and dog
The impact of pet ownership on self-esteem is at its highest in children aged under six, and in pre-adolescents and adolescents over 10.

New research looks at emotional, educational and cognitive impacts
 
A review of current evidence suggests pet ownership is associated with a range of benefits to emotional health and education in children and adolescents.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool carried out an in-depth review and quality evaluation of studies looking at the influence pets have on emotional, cognitive, behavioural, educational and social development. They found youngsters with pets tended to have greater self-esteem, enhanced social skills, and were less likely to be lonely.

The impact of pet ownership on self-esteem is at its highest in children aged under six, and in pre-adolescents and adolescents over 10, according to their findings, which were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Commenting on the findings, lead author Rebecca Purewal said: “Generally dogs and cats are deemed to be the best providers of social support, perhaps due to a higher level of interaction and reciprocation in comparison to other pets.

“In both western and non-western cultures pets may act as a form of psychological support, helping youths feel good about themselves and enabling a positive self-image.”

The researchers said there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in this area and the majority of studies in the review had methodological weaknesses. Future research should address how pet ownership promotes child development, the effects of different pet types and the impact of different pets on psychological, behavioural and social problems.

Co-author Nancy Gee, a WALTHAM researcher, added: “The patterns among sub-populations and age groups suggests that companion animals have the potential to promote healthy child and adolescent development. This is an exciting field of study and there is still much to learn about the processes through which pet ownership may impact healthy child development.”

Image courtesy of freuds

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.