Cats beat out their canine counterparts when it comes to
preventing loneliness and providing important social and
emotional support for men with AIDS, according to a recent
study by researchers in UC Davis' School of Veterinary
Medicine.
Through a survey of male pet owners with AIDS, animal
behaviorist and sociologist Lynette Hart and colleagues found
that cats did a better job of evoking affection, making their
owners feel needed and serving as a source of stability.
"Much of the pleasure of dog ownership is associated with
physical activities like taking walks or traveling, which can
be too physically demanding for some people with AIDS," Hart
said. "It may well be that cats provide similar comfort and
companionship, with less effort, and they can be kept
entirely indoors."
The survey is based on the responses of 60 male pet owners
with AIDS, who replied to a questionnaire sent to 500 clients
of Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), a San Francisco
community organization that provides pet-care assistance.
"Survey responses suggest that cats complement, rather than
replace, support provided by relationships with friends and
family," Hart added. This study builds on a growing body of
research indicating that companion animals offer people
strong social and psychological support that in some
instances also translates into overall health benefits.
Emotional support is of particular concern for AIDS patients,
who may be dealing with shortened life expectancy, social
stigma, and diminishing social and financial resources. For
example, previous research indicates that HIV-positive men
who are frequently depressed are at higher risk of developing
clinical AIDS.
Media contacts: Lynette Hart, Center for Animals in Society,(530) 752-7722, lahart@ucdavis.edu;
Patricia Bailey, News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu.
Health-promoting Foods to be Focus of Public Seminar Series
Foods that promote health and may prevent disease will be the
focus of a new public seminar series, "Food for Health,"
which begins Wednesday, Jan. 16, at UC Davis and continues
through mid-March.
The first speaker for the series will be Peter Hollman, from
the State Institute for Quality Control of Agricultural
Products in the Netherlands, discussing the "Epidemiology of
Flavonoids" at 4:10 p.m. in MU II in the Memorial Union. He
also will present a talk about "Absorption and Metabolism of
Flavonoids" at 4:10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, in MU II.
"The series will bring speakers of national and international
prominence to campus to discuss recent research that shows a
link between foods containing compounds called flavonoids and
a reduction in chronic disease, especially heart disease,"
said Andrew Waterhouse, a professor and vice chair of the
Department of Viticulture and Enology. Speakers will address
topics ranging from plant composition to clinical effects.
The series will be complemented by several seminars in this
area of study by UC Davis researchers. More information about
the series, sponsored by the College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences, is available online at
Media contacts: Andrew Waterhouse, Viticulture and Enology,
(530) 752-4777, alwaterhouse@ucdavis.edu; Patricia Bailey,
News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu.