The Animal-Human bond.

Scientists or politicians have never understood the animal-human bond.   Animal owners whether they be small companion pets or of the large variety all intuitively know what some learned individuals are furtively trying to grasp and measure.   There are numerous documented encounters where the action of an animal has saved a human's life.   Some of these escapades are of a physical nature and others through the contact and knowing that your bud needs you.   It is documented that animal people when sick and in the hospital, become focused, organized and will heal faster.   The stimulus to strengthen or the need to maintain your connection with your animal is the prime motivator.   This inner autopilot is stronger in animal people.   I wish I could explain if this works in non-animal people.   I am sure they have reasons to heal and go home.   I just confess that non-animal people befuddle me.    I read non-animal as an oxymoron.   Some of them may have a fear of animals and I understand that.   I have my own fears - failure, decreasing property values, unemployment, and lack of retirement.   Oh wait, you have the same fears.   We all have fear of the unknown.  

We had a young lady work with us with a strong desire to be a Veterinarian.   She is at Michigan State University in Pre-Veterinary Medicine.   I do not have enough of a large animal caseload to give her exposure to horses, and farm animals.   For the last two summers, she has worked at Calder Brothers Dairy Farm.    Her duties were helping with tours, in the store, feeding calves, and milking cows, no bull.    She has developed a liking for bovines that her mother has found puzzling.  

Working with animals gives balance to your life.   Coming from a general dairy farm, I understand.   Working with animals develops a maturing responsibility from the contact and care.   There is no other way you can get this experience.   Dogs, cats, horses, or cows you name an animal and I assure you there are very intense owner advocates with them.   These people of passion are an asset or your devoted adversary if you inadvertently slight their favorite species.  

The endorphins or as some have stated oxytocin levels raise in both human and animals during the process known as petting.   This maternal substance has a calming effect on pet and person.   When measured, oxytocin levels in the pet and person during the petting process levels are up in both.   Blood pressure in people will drop to a lower level.   Just removing the daily stress takes away the adrenalin rush hours we work through doing our workday.   Dissipating stressor cortisol levels allows us to unwind at the end of the day.   This is why people are willing to seek veterinary medical attention for their pets.   People will go to great lengths to maintain the relationship that brings comfort, companionship and constancy to their life.   In some respects, it is a greater fear of losing of a comforting relationship.   Whatever the reason I do know the intensity with which they will pursue good health for their friends.    They tell me their friends tell them they are crazy to spend so much on an animal.   I wonder how they are defining friend.  

Today I read a letter from Chris Brown, Dean of MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).    He is lamenting, "Governor Granholm has indicated she will veto the entire budget for the Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station (MAES), and the MSU Extension Service (MSUE).   This will have severe and immediate effects for Michigan agriculture, MSU in general and CVM in particular.  "If this funding is cut, we could lose up to15 faculty positions.   This and the current cuts already in place, and those expected in the next two years, we will not be able to meet its current obligations in teaching, research and service."

The intertwining of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine is deep.   They share joint funding of some faculty, teaching and research.   The fear is that CANR will be bluntly gutted or vaporized.   I understand the economy is very beat up.   How can a premier Land Grant University based on agriculture teach husbandry, crops and protection of the Michigan food supply if state funding is at zero? 

Michigan has always had higher food standards than other states.     Twenty-five years ago, we were in Cincinnati to watch an exhibition Lions Bengals football game.   The stadium hot dogs were almost inedible.   I would hope Michigan standards continue to be high and requirements for food are tougher than the melamine food imports from China.   There needs to be a moral food policy.   Actually, it saddens me that you need think of establishing a policy for what should be a basic human moral nonentity.    Truth in food and dealing with people truthfully is not what it used to be.  

You need animals to teach the next generation of farmers and veterinarians.   They are talking about reducing the animal herds or dispersal of them.   It is sad when bloodlines maintained for almost a hundred years could be gone.  

Please excuse me for getting on my soapbox about this.   I grew up a farm boy and I understand the interlocking relationship between animals, agriculture and veterinary medicine.   They are hand and glove for service and food supply to the State of Michigan, the USA and export to the world.    If a broader economy base is not established soon our greatest Michigan export will be our young people.   Once educated or trained there needs to be a workforce place for them or they export themselves out of here. 

For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian
The outside of a pet is good for the inside of a human.