LexisNexis Articles

Benefits of Pet Therapy

1. The Comfort of a Kind Paw. St. Petersburg Times (Florida). Michelle Miller January 14, 2007

This article’s main argument was that regular visits from therapy dogs to hospitals, help promote their overall well-being and give sick patients emotional support. This article basically outlined the journey two dogs made to becoming therapy dogs and how much hope they gave the patients they went to see. This article also said a little bit about what a dog must go through to become a certified therapy dog.

2. Teachers Say Therapy Dogs Signify Unconditional Love. The Associated press State and Local Wire. Liz Shepard. November 27, 2006

This article was about a dog that does therapy at a middle school. The main point was that while student counselors can offer their understanding and support in so many ways, they cannot offer the unconditional love and understanding that a dog can. This article outlined the story of a dog named Sadie and how she has been able to help many children. “Students receive unconditional love from these dogs they don’t care what you look like or what type of clothes you wear.” Nancy Head, a middle school teacher said, “Sadie is definitely an asset, especially in middle school when they sometimes just need a friend.” The article goes on to say that using Sadie as a therapy dog encourages students to pay attention and that she has a calming effect on the students and can even relieve their anxiety.

3. Super Furry Animals. Edmonton Sun (Alberta). Chad Hucalak. October 4, 2006-12-28

“Animals have been documented to lower blood pressure and keep people happy,” states Geffner, a dog breeder herself. “A dog is unconditional love.” This article was about a pet society in Northern Alberta, and how their main goal is to provide assistance and education to people in nursing homes and hospitals. The article goes on to say what dogs would qualify to become a therapy dog, and how many of the owners of therapy dogs have an emotional story about someone who responded positively from a visit from an animal. The Pet Therapy Society also works with disabled children and gives those children a chance to get out in the community.

Obesity

1. America’s Obesity Epidemic Getting Worse; New Report Finds Adult Obesity Rates Up In 31 States; The South is ‘Biggest Belt.’ U.S. Newswire. August 26, 2006.

This article was about the rise of obesity in 31 states over the year 2006. Indiana ranked eighth for overall obesity out of all 50 states. Mississippi was number one, followed by Alabama and West Virginia. Overall the South was found to have the “Biggest Belt” being that it is home to 9 of the 10 states with the highest diabetes and hypertension, the two major health problems related to obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that nearly two-thirds of all adult Americans are either overweight or obese and over one-third of all children are overweight or obese. This article basically told about how America is becoming increasingly obese and that something needs to be done about it. There is a campaign started “F is for Fat, 2006,” that offers recommendations to help ‘curb’ the obesity crisis, which includes a 20-step action plan to address the health burden and financial cost of obesity.

2. Obesity Cited Number-One Kid’s Health Issue; Americans Split on Who’s Responsible. U.S. Newswire. December 13, 2006.

The main point of this article is to address the fact that obesity is seen to the be most important health issue for U.S. children, according to a poll done by Research! America and the Endocrine Society. 27% of Americans ranked childhood obesity as the top health issue for kids. However, Americans are also divided on who is responsible. 52% of people polled think that obesity is a public health issue that society should help solve, while the other 46% of people believe it is a private issue that should people should deal with themselves. The poll does show, however, that the public thinks obesity should be addressed only to get individuals and parents active in treating the problem. The article stresses that there needs to be more awareness and education in regards to childhood obesity.

3. State-Specific Prevalence of Obesity Among adults --- United States, 2005. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Documents and Publications. September 15, 2006

This article mostly gave statistics of obesity ratings among Americans in the year 2005. It talked about body mass index and its relationship to obesity. It also said that obesity is one of the 10 leading U.S. health indicators associated with increased risk of diabetes, certain cancers, hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, and dyslipidemia. This article also said that its goals for the year 2010 is to reduce to 15% the prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States.

Smoking Ban

1. The Smoking Ban: Even If We Think It Was Justified, We Should Consider the Tradeoffs involved. The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

On January 25, 2007 the ban is here!! Smoking has been forbidden in almost all “public” places in Fort Wayne, as of June 1, 2007. While smokers will become less visible, the nonsmokers will have fresher air. The vote on the 25th was so overwhelming. Seven agreed, one opposed, and one abstained from voting. The question now is will the number of nonsmokers who start going to these once smoking facilities be greater than the number of smokers who stop going. This article basically debated this topic and in the end said, “Of all our self-indulgences, smoking is the only one that requires everyone around the user to participate, whether they want to or not. Health effects aside, secondhand smoke is nasty and unpleasant for the nonsmoker.”

2. Smoking Bans Roll On: The Debate is Now Mostly Over the How of Restrictions, But the Why Still Matters, Too. The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana). August 31, 2006.

On August 31, 2006 Allen county proposed stronger restrictions be put on smoking in public places. This article outlines the positives and negatives of putting a smoking ban on Fort Wayne. While some say its taking away a freedom, others are happy they might possible be able to go into a bar, and not have to smell smoke anymore. This article as well as the first article emphasizes that smoking is the one habit that requires those around the smoker to participate in as well, but without choice. The base of the matter is that the smoking debate is about values as well as science. Individuals liberties competes with society’s needs, and property rights competes with governments reach.

3. Board of Health Urges Smoke Ban: Its Recommendations Go Beyond Allen County’s Proposed Ordinance. The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) September 19, 2006

On September 19, 2006 the Allen County Board of Health unanimously adopted the recommendations that call for a city wide smoking ban. The Board of Health cannot directly affect whether a ban will go into place, however, they are able to offer their expertise on the matter and attempt to influence county commissioners that way