At a first-of-its-kind educational Summit -- "Think PAWSitive" -- held earlier this year in Atlanta, Ga., human-health and animal-health authorities joined together to educate the community about the benefits of interacting with animals. Sponsored by PAWSitive InterAction, a non-profit alliance of animal-loving organizations, the Summit attracted thought leaders and medical experts in oncology, psychiatry, veterinary studies and epidemiology to discuss the profound impact of pets in our lives -- and it's all been documented in "A Scientific Look at the Human-Animal Bond."

The white paper features presentations and findings from Dr. Edward Creagan, Professor at the Mayo Clinic Medical School, American Cancer Society Professor of Clinical Oncology and The John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and three other nationally renowned medical authorities: Dr. Alan Beck, Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University; Dr. Sandra Barker, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University; and Dr. Marty Becker, Veterinarian correspondent for ABC-TV's Good Morning America and author of The Healing Power of Pets. According to these experts, pets affect physical health in a number of ways: they can help lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and increase heart attack survival.

"We can no longer ignore the medical significance of the bond people have with their pets," says Dr. Edward Creagan, who prescribes pets as therapy for many of his cancer patients. "Pets help people cope with the rigors of prolonged suffering from diseases such as cancer and associated loneliness and depression."

As a Human-Animal Bond pioneer, Dr. Alan Beck has long conducted key medical research, including an important study linking weight gain in Alzheimer's patients with watching fish in aquariums during meal times. "Interaction with animals stimulates physical reactions that are very necessary and important in humans."

In addition to a physical boost, research shows that animal companionship has clear psychological benefits in reducing stress and anxiety. According to Dr. Sandra Barker, "Research shows that the link between animals and mental health has great therapeutic potential and deserves further examination."

Every onlooker who has watched a child bond with a pet instinctively understands the powerful, emotional connection between the two. "Pets and children are a natural combination of energy and playfulness," says Dr. Marty Becker. "The wealth of research on the power of the human-animal bond tells us one thing: the healing power of pets isn't anecdotal anymore, but scientific."

Produced and published by PAWSitive InterAction, Inc., "A Scientific Look at the Human-Animal Bond" is part of a growing body of scientific evidence confirming what many pet owners have long suspected -- benefits from animals extend beyond warmth, companionship and unconditional love, to truly impact the health and well-being of people.

"The mission of PAWSitive InterAction is to collectively connect the community with resources, expertise and education designed to further understanding of the positive benefits of interacting with animals," says Nalini Saligram, Ph.D., PAWSitive InterAction Board Chair and Merial Corporate Communications Director.

PAWSitive InterAction promotes and celebrates the human-animal bond. Each member organization fosters opportunities for people to experience the human- animal bond. Founding members include Zoo Atlanta, Pets Are Loving Support (PALS), Happy Tails Pet Therapy, Atlanta Humane Society, and Merial. For more information, visit http://www.PAWSitiveInterAction.org.

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