National Love Your Pet Day - February 20th
National Love Your Pet Day may seem a little unnecessary, especially if you're someone who doesn't have a strong bond with a pet, but even animals need some extra love every once in a while. Pets of all species have been there for their owners since day one. Service animals, police dogs, farm animals, house pets, strays, and aquatics all deserve the same love and care given by them. Animals have been around since day one, they may not be able to talk, but they certainly have their own way of showing love and affection. So, the next time you wake up on February 20th, be sure to honor all our furry, scaly, and hairy friends. Even if you do not own a pet, you can still show these little guys some extra love if you see them around!
How to Celebrate:
Some ways you can celebrate your pet is by simply giving them a few extra treats and belly rubs. However, you can show your adoration to more than just one pet by volunteering at animal shelters and/or donating money, supplies, etc. to animal shelters. Everyone needs something a little extra once in a while whether they’re human or not! Roughly 7.6 million animals are put into shelter care each year but only approximately 3.8 million are adopted. They may seem like a lot, however, the typical holding period of animals in shelter is about 5-7 days, so if an animal is not adopted by the time allowed by the shelter, they will most likely be euthanized and put down. Different states have certain laws and different shelters have certain purposes, however if we just think of an average animal shelter, these statistics lie true. Take action, be the person who makes a difference. Assume no else is donating or helping instead of the other way around, you can always help!
Service Dogs:
Mission Health says, “A service animal is any breed or size of dog trained to perform a task directly related to a person's disability, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support or comfort dogs are not the same as service dogs because they are not trained to perform specific, necessary — often life-saving — tasks.” You have probably seen service animals in many places where pets are not usually permitted, and you may have also noticed that no one is allowed to pet or touch the animals either. Service dogs are specifically trained to keep their owner safe and one way you can help is by letting them be. But why do people have service dogs?
There are many different reasons people have a service dog or may need one such as difficulty with:
Breathing, eating or sleeping
Concentrating or thinking
Learning or working
Lifting, standing or walking
There are also certain disabilities that are not directly named by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) but are recognized as service dog approved:
Arthritis
Asthma
Cancer
Cerebral palsy
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Seizures
Service dogs help people so much and are so important. This is just one of the many impactful ways in which animals help humans. Pets are so incredibly deserving of love, light, and a home. National Love Your Pet Day should be more of a reminder to care for your animals and cherish every moment with them. They have a shorter life than humans, but live just as much!
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