Entries by Betsy Thibaut-Stephenson

When Wildlife & Pets Make Each Other Sick

Just as people catch some types of illnesses from each other, animals can get sick after being exposed to other sick animals.  In California, cases of canine distemper are on the rise, and veterinarians are concerned that unvaccinated pet dogs can leave companion animals and wildlife exposed to the uncurable virus. “Our goal is to […]

Show Your Pet Some Love

When we snuggle and play with our pets, we demonstrate our affection and strengthen the bond with our animals. When practicing responsible pet ownership, we show them we love them by protecting them from harm and reducing the risk of illness. A safe home environment, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are all essential […]

Animal Vaccinations: Important for Pets & People

Whether it’s making sure your new kitten gets its feline distemper shots or keeping your older dog’s parvo vaccinations current, pet owners have a responsibility to ensure their animals stay healthy and that contagious diseases don’t spread among animals or to humans. Read more from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Healthy Pet Habits

Properly caring for the animals in our life ensures happy, healthy pets and also keeps people healthy. Learn  more from the Centers for Disease Control.

Children & Pets: A Positive Pairing

When children and animals come together, magic can happen. This is no coincidence – research shows that growing up with pets is linked to higher self-esteem, cognitive development, and social skills. Learn more here.

The Deep Importance of the Human-Animal Bond

Animal lovers don’t need scientific research to tell them what they already know: animals bring love, laughter, and fun to our lives, which provides tremendous value. Animals have been essential to our daily lives for thousands of years, and the human-animal bond has been extensively studied. No surprise, the benefits are immense; read more here.

Prescription for Better Health: Own a Dog

Year-end stress and personal brainstorms for New Year’s resolutions often inspire us to focus more on health and well-being. And while there is no silver bullet, research shows that owning a dog offers a plethora of health benefits. As you finalize your resolutions, read more about the role dogs can play in your happier, healthier […]

Veterinarians: A Critical Link Between Animal Health and Human Health

On the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, AHI recognizes the important role that veterinarians play in both animal health and human health. Worldwide, 60% of diseases are zoonotic, which means they can pass between animals and humans. These zoonotic diseases are responsible for at least 2.4 billion cases of human illness each year, which is […]

Loneliness is a Growing Epidemic. Pets Can Help.

According to the AARP Foundation, social isolation affects more than 8 million age 50-plus adults. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, the trend doesn’t look good. But scientific research supports the fact that pet ownership and human-animal interaction can improve social connections, provide social support, and decrease loneliness and depression. Learn more here.

The Importance of Vaccines in Reducing the Need for Animal Antibiotics

If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then vaccines are an ounce of prevention that can have a meaningful impact on reducing the need for antibiotics in animals. As we recognize World Antibiotics Awareness Week, AHI makes the case for ensuring the U.S. continues to have access to vaccines that make […]