Summer 2003 Issue

PAWS Extern Reviews Medical Benefits of Animal Companionship

- Julia Bowen and Will Carr, DVM (NCSU,'92)

Most people would agree that having a pet can be a wonderful experience, but few realize that research has shown that there are medical benefits from the relationship. A review of various articles took place at PAWS, Pets Are Wonderful Support, on the evening of May 15. Some of the work discussed included a study done in 2002 showing that the presence of the subjects' dog in the room helped to decrease blood pressure and heart rate elevations caused by performing mental arithmetic (Allen, 2002). Having the subject's spouse in the room caused an elevation in these parameters. Another study has shown that medication cost per person per day dropped by $1.62 in three nursing homes that integrated animals and plants into their environments (Montague, 1995). Different species such as chimpanzees and snakes have also been shown to have similar cardiovascular effects as cats and dogs. In a look to the future, groups such as Purdue University are comparing the benefits received from interaction with mechanical dogs to those already shown to result from interaction with real dogs. When asked what she hoped to see as the next step in this field of research, the presenter stated 'longer studies which examine larger numbers of people. Another important consideration would be the inclusion of more groups from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds'.

The presenter for the evening was PAWS' veterinary extern, Julia Bowen. PAWS selects two students a year to participate in this program with a goal of providing experience for the students in the human animal bond. Miss Bowen is currently finishing her fourth year of veterinary medicine studies. As a veterinary extern with PAWS she has spent considerable time reviewing the broad scope of articles published in this field. In addition she participated in more hands on activities such as the Street Outreach Services (S.O.S.) van. This monthly van provides veterinary care for the companion animals of homeless humans.

PAWS is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping clients with AIDS and other debilitating illnesses and their companion animals together. Founded in 1987 to specifically help those with AIDS, PAWS has recently expanded its program to provide comprehensive services for low-income San Francisco residents with any disabling illness. The organization currently provides direct support to 370 clients and 500 companion animals. They hope to use the information which was presented on Thursday in an education campaign to help educate service providers in the medical, mental health, and social services about the important roles companion animals play in our lives. This campaign will include a "Health Benefits of Companion Animals" pamphlet, grassroots outreach and additional presentations.

Federal GLOBE is an association of GLBT Federal employees dedicated to the elimination of prejudice and discrimination in the federal government based on sexual orientation. Past LGVMA President Dr. Michael McElvaine & LGVMA member Dr. T.J. Myers have both served as President of USDA's chapter of GLOBE, and Dr. Myers currently sits on the Board of Federal GLOBE. The following is a press release from Federal GLOBE in response to the cancellation of a scheduled Pride event at the Department of Justice by Attorney General John Ashcroft.

WASHINGTON, DC, June 6th - Federal GLOBE: The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Federal Employee's organization strongly condemns Attorney General John Ashcroft's decision to bar employees of the Department of Justice from holding a gay pride observance at the Department of Justice, an event that has been held annually since the early 90s. Ashcroft's decision to cancel this year's event was announced Thursday, June 5th and marks the first time that any federal agency has barred such an observance.

"It's a chilling message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender AND heterosexual Federal employees, when the Federal government allows John Ashcroft, the preeminent protector of civil liberties in the United States, to impose his personal views to bar legitimate free speech and free assembly in the federal workplace," stated Federal GLOBE President Leonard Hirsch. "Ashcroft has buckled to political pressure from the conservative right - and this craven act will impact the lives and security of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender federal employees."

During his Senate confirmation hearings, Ashcroft was asked if he would permit DOJ Pride, the voluntary organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender DOJ employees that planned the event, to continue to use Department facilities on the same basis as other voluntary employee groups or other minority employees. Ashcroft stated that he "would not tolerate discrimination against any employee at the Department of Justice based on sexual preference. I have no intent to treat this group differently than any other."

On Thursday, June 5th, DOJ officials told the employee organization that it could not hold its annual event at the department because the White House had not formally issued a presidential proclamation recognizing June as Gay Pride. DOJ Pride President, Marina Colby, noted that "We had never heard of this so-called 'policy' prior to this week, and we were told that it has never been committed to writing. We have asked for a written explanation of the Department's decision to prevent us from holding a Pride Month celebration, as well as the opportunity to meet with a representative of the Attorney General's Office to register our objections to that decision. Thus far, we have not received a response to either of these requests." DOJ Pride believes that the Department's decision is discriminatory and a major step backward for diversity and equality. Federal GLOBE President Hirsch wondered when "and justice for all" became "and justice for not quite all." But we thank the Attorney General for reminding us all that freedom and justice must be continually fought for and protected. Until equal rights and protections are fully enshrined in both practice and law, the LGBT community, and its many and growing numbers of straight allies and friends, has a lot of work to do. So after this month's Pride celebrations, we all will be back to work to make this still imperfect union a place free from harassment and discrimination "for all".

The Healthy Pets, Healthy People (HPHP) project of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) was originally developed by Dr. Stephanie Wong while she was a student at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. The early development of this project was actively supported and nurtured by LGVMA.

Dr. Michael McElvaine, past President of LGVMA, recently received an e-mail from Stephanie updating us on the current status of HPHP. She writes: "Before my departure from CDC in Oct 2001, we were able to finish the HPHP Web site: www.cdc.gov/healthypets. The FDA just released a great cover article on HPHP (www.fda.gov/cvm/index/fdavet/2003/May_June03.pdf), and the Assistant Surgeon General gave the HPHP team a pat on the back. We (LGVMA et al.) know we've been successful at integrating a sustainable program if we're no longer mentioned (I received these messages via a third-person communication last week)...this was great news, and LGVMA deserves a standing ovation for actively and passionately pushing the educational front of HPHP forward, both locally and globally. A very special thanks to Ken, Tim, and you for your dedication and altruistic efforts."

What a whirlwind of changes we've had recently! The Supreme Court finally reversed Bowers v. Hardwick and stood up for the Constitution. Now Wal-Mart, largest private employer in the country, has added sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination statement, leaving Exxon-Mobil as the only one of the ten largest Fortune 500 companies who still allow discrimination against LGBT people (Mobil had both a nondiscrimination statement and DP benefits, but these were repealed after the merger with Exxon).

And what about Canada? After a June 10th decision in the Ontario Court of Appeals, the province is now issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, even to visiting Americans. The Canadian Parliament is now paving the way to expand marriage law to include same sex couples nationwide!

This is all well and good, but there are still dark rumblings of potential backlash. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colorado, has introduced a proposed amendment to the Constitution to define marriage as consisting "only of the union of a man and a woman." Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist supports this amendment because he fears the Supreme Court decision will set the stage for "criminal activity within the home [to] be condoned." Because, as we all know, gay sex inevitably leads to drugs.

Granted, a Constitutional amendment has little chance of passing, since it would have to be ratified by 38 state legislatures. Still, with a Republican-controlled Congress that relies on the support of religious fundamentalists to remain in power, it's a scary move and one that we can't afford to be complacent about.

As for me, I'm currently faced with the realities of shopping for health insurance for when I leave my current job at the end of the summer. My partner works for a large university, which has consistently and doggedly run away from the issue of offering domestic partnership benefits, citing fears of backlash. I'm sure they must offer spousal benefits to their Canadian graduate students and employees, though, and with Niagara Falls only four hours away, I'm keeping my eyes pointed North.

Spotted Horse Software is one of the sponsors of our reception in Denver on July 19. LGVMA thanks them for their generous support.

Spotted Horse Software specializes in developing innovative and affordable software solutions for niche markets. Click 'n Go Billing, Veterinary Practice Management Edition is Spotted Horse Software's latest product and features billing, customer management and calendaring. All software developed by Spotted Horse is "customizable." What this means is that customers can start with a standard off-the-shelf program and add new reports and features at an affordable price. Appaloosa Business Services, Incorporated, the parent company of Spotted Horse Software, specializes in web site design and web hosting. Appaloosa has been in business since 1991 and is a two-person firm that focuses on providing high-quality affordable solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Their website is www.spottedhorse.com.