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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Depressed |
| 2005-11-30 |
| Swimming with dolphins appears to help alleviate mild to moderate depression, researchers have found. A University of Leicester team tested the effect of regular swimming sessions with dolphins on 15 depressed people in a study carried out in Honduras. They found that symptoms improved more among this group than among another 15 who swam in the same area - but did not interact with dolphins. The study is published in the British Medical Journal. All the volunteers who took part in the trial stopped taking antidepressant drugs or undergoing psychotherapy at least four weeks beforehand. Half the volunteers swam and snorkelled around dolphins for one hour a day over a two-week period. The others took part in the same activities, but without dolphins around. Two weeks later, both groups showed improved mental health, but especially so among patients who had been swimming with the dolphins. The researchers say dolphins' aesthetic value, and the emotions raised by the interaction may have healing properties. Some have speculated that the ultrasound emitted by dolphins as part of their echolocation system may have a beneficial effect. The Leicester team believe that using animals in this way could be a productive way to treat Dr Ryrie said research had shown the symptoms of depression could be ameliorated by pet assisted therapy. The technique had also been shown to aid young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and older people with dementia. "Animals, and especially mammals, can favourably change our social dynamic, which is typically one of withdrawal and increasing isolation among people with depression. Swimming with and caring for dolphins as a group activity in a vacation context is very likely therefore to alleviate depression." However, he said researchers would probably do better to focus their efforts on animal interactions that were more readily available closer to home. Yep. Give Me a Samoyed and a fire on a cold day. I was never more content than reading on the couch with Coco sleeping on top of My feet. |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #8 RC, I think you're safe, dolphins are not into kinky stuff, like bestiality. ;-) |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2005-11-30 22:14 |
| #7 No way I'd do this. I've seen the King of the Hill episode that exposes dolphins for the sex-crazed beasts they are! |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-11-30 21:45 |
| #6 I swam in one of those dolphin places in Ixtapa, Mexico. It was pretty neat. It's positive influence on anyone who does it is obvious. I couldn't see not living with other animals in the family. |
| Posted by: Penguin 2005-11-30 21:44 |
| #5 People over 75 who have pets live longer than those who don't. Figured that a long time ago. Not sure if quantity influences quality, but decided not to take any chances and thus I have 8 purring felines. But since we are a family of 3, I have at least 2.66 cats to my name. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2005-11-30 21:31 |
| #4 You want a friend in Washington, I highly recommend a dog. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2005-11-30 20:16 |
| #3 except for hungry Pit bulls and Rotts, I love animals. They have an inherent healing in all of us. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-11-30 20:13 |
| #2 I always sleep better with a cat on my lap - unless it's a jaguar or a tiger, then I have trouble sleeping. Luckily we don't have any of those, just a couple of "wannabees". This isn't new. "Pet Therapy" has been a valid psychological program for two decades or more. People over 75 who have pets live longer than those who don't. Badly burned children respond better and heal faster when they can be around pets. Why knows why? Just accept it and be glad. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2005-11-30 20:10 |
| #1 Nothing like curling up on a chilly night, under a goose-feather comforter, and three cats curled up around your feet and knees. Besides, I'll bet dolphins don't purr when you skritch them on the top of their heads, or under their chins. |
| Posted by: Sgt. Mom 2005-11-30 20:10 |