Title: Aaron Carter says pets are a healthy duet
Author: Mike Falcon, Spotlight Health, with medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.
Source: USA Today
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlighthealth/2002-08-09-carter-pets_x.htm
Date: August 09, 2002 01:58 PM EDT
Location: US
Topic: Other
When many rock stars go out on tour they act like animals. But teen heartthrob Aaron Carter is literally going to the dogs. "Animals play a big part in my life, on tour or at home." says Carter, who has a new album out called Another Earthquake. "Anytime I want to have fun, unwind after a tough time, or just relax, they're there for me." Caring for 16 pets, including 10 dogs, keeps Aaron Carter busy.
With 10 dogs, four cats, an iguana, and a ferret, Carter could develop a traveling zoo.
"It really helps to have these friends along," saysq Carter, "but they're family pets, and you can't travel with so many. So I just go on tour with Sparky, my Jack Russell Terrier."
And Carter may be on to something.
Because of the physical toll and stresses of touring and performing, having a friendly animal around can provide a number of health benefits, say experts.
"When you interact with animals you typically have a relaxation response," says Dr. Alan Beck, Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University and co-author of Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship . "There's a drop in blood pressure and you feel calmer. It's a pure tactile focus of attention when you pet them, and that's more relaxing than doing 'nothing' with your thoughts."
One 1995 study found that dog owners reported better physical and mental health, had fewer visits to the doctor, and were less likely to take medication for hypertension, insomnia, and high cholesterol than the general population. That's not overly surprising when you consider that dog owners take more regular walks than people who don't have dogs.
"I definitely get more exercise when I'm playing with Sparky or the other dogs at home," says Carter. "But I like quiet time with them too. Animals keep you company when you're really lonely. It helps because when you have a friend around who always likes you no matter what ? it's harder to feel bad or down."
Healthy pets
This guardian angel effect is very strong in elderly populations with fragile health.
An American Journal of Cardiology article by Dr. Erika Friedmann, a professor at Brooklyn College, New York, revealed vast differences in post-heart attack survival. Her study of 369 cardiac patients found that 19 of the 282 patients who did not own dogs died within one year.
But just one of the 87 patients who owned a dog perished in the same period.
"We adjusted for differences in activity levels and other variables," explains Friedmann. It was the relationship with the animal that was the key predictor, she emphasizes.
Animal assisted therapy helps elderly, difficult-to-reach Alzheimer's patients in a number of ways as well, says Beck. "For patients who had trouble interacting with other people and in initiating those interactions" ? familiar Alzheimer scenarios ? "we found assisted therapy animals increased their interactions. Nurses even noticed the differences."
"But it doesn't have to be a dog or cat," notes Beck. Fish tanks also seem to hold the attention of advanced Alzheimer patients. Patients whose attention is captivated by the fish spend more time eating their food, notes Beck. This can have profound effects in helping counter the malnutrition and wasting that so often accompanies the disease and makes the Alzheimer patient fragile.
The basis for these effects may be man's need for companionship ? mammal, reptile, bird, or even fish. For someone who is isolated and alone, pets may literally be a lifesaver ? or life extender, as Friedmann documented.
"They are your best friends," says Carter. "You know you can always rely on them. You know there's always someone in your corner who's looking out for you, day or night."
Animal magnetism
Research into the effects animals have on the health and healthy development of children already rivals the beneficial findings for elderly populations.
This research includes the following benefits:
* Deterring allergy development ? A 1999 study from Sweden's University of Goteborg found that "Children exposed to pets during the first year of life had a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis at 7-9 years of age and of asthma at 12-13 years."
* Buffering trauma ? Croatian children who suffered war trauma and have pets develop "more differentiated coping strategies" which may be helpful in reducing post-traumatic stress, says a 1998 research paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions. "Students with a dog or cat express emotions, seek social support and problem solve more often than other groups," says the study.
* Surviving childhood sexual abuse ? Virginia Commonwealth University studies of sexually abused children "suggest a strong supportive role of pets in the isolated, confusing world of the sexually abused child."
* Accelerating learning ? A University of Montreal study of children aged 9-13 years old found that high-performing students more often mention having dogs or cats for support. "The results lead (us) to consider the benefits of using animals with low performing children, to promote learning processes," says a study abstract.
* Moderating autism effects ? A study from Great Britain's University of Warwick found that autistic children "displayed behaviors toward their pet that they rarely, if ever, displayed toward human companions. Some of these behaviors are contrary to DSM-IHR diagnostic criteria for autism. In particular, pets were sought out for companionship, comfort and confiding in ways never shown to family members."
Carter will be field-testing these theories of beneficial animal company during his six-and-a-half week, 30-date summer tour that began August 6.
After the tour, he'll still be working like a dog as he prepares to play the title role in the live-action movie version of Peter Pan.
But despite his importance to Carter, Sparky will likely remain offstage, even though the original book does have a dog that puts the children to bed. "Sparky doesn't fly," says Carter. "At least, not yet. If I asked him, I'm sure he'd give it a shot."
