
Turns out, thanks to
a new study
linking volunteering to longevity, there may be more reasons to muck
in at one of your local animal shelters.
So apart from feeling
all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that you’re doing a good thing, you can also
take comfort in the knowledge that you’ll live longer than those who’ve never
volunteered.
Volunteering for Public Health
According to a recent
study published in BMC Public Health, researchers found that those who volunteer and
regularly help out in their community were 20% less likely
to die prematurely. With that in mind, why aren’t you signing up to
get involved with your favorite animal charity already?
After examining 40
different academic papers from the past 20 years and studying the links between
volunteering and health, Dr. Suzanna Richards and her team discovered that
helping others is directly associated with a positive effect on mental health,
reduced depression and increased well-being.

There are a whole
host of incredible health benefits from getting up close and personal with the
animal kingdom, and when you team the two together, you end up with one powerful
combination.
Volunteering + Animals
Studies examining the
interactions between humans and animals show similar results when it comes to
the hormone oxytocin, and specifically how the
bonds we share with animals are woven from the same stuff that merges mothers
and infants, and that’s just the start of it. Oxytocin is very beneficial for
us. It increases feelings of happiness and trust, and has a powerful effect on
the body’s ability to heal, and even to grow new cells.



Read more: www.care2.com/causes/how-volunteering-with-animals-will-help-you-live-longer.html#ixzz2hDAUSUSL
Have you ever volunteered with animals?
How did it make you feel?
How did it make you feel?
Here is a
list of dog related charities that you can volunteer at:
- AARF
- Assistance Dogs Australia
- Australian Support Dogs Inc
- CUSP
- Delta Society Australia
- Guide Dogs Australia
- Lions Hearing Dogs
- Lort Smith Hospital Pet Therapy Program
- Lost Dogs Home
- Righteous Pups Australia
- RSPCA
- Seeing Eye Dogs Australia
- Young Diggers Dog Squad
If I have missed any out please let me know and I will add them to the list...
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