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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 1, 20 18 | 40 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd.,Oakville www.villageortho.ca Get Your Smile Ready For Picture Day! At Village Orthodontics we specialize in Aligners & Traditional Braces. Start the school year off by scheduling your complimentary consultation! When you need healthcare fast: HealthSense Medical Walk-In Clinic Short wait times Convenient location at WestOak Trails Plaza Great hours - weekdays 8:30am to 8:30pm Pharmacy onsite 0pm Short wait times! 905-825-DOCS (3627) 2983 Westoak Trails Blvd South of Dundas, at Bronte Rd info@healthsensemedical.ca www.healthsensemedical.ca HOURS Mon - Fri 8:30am to 8:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 2:00pm Family Doctors • Walk-In Clinic Chiropractic • Pharmacy • Travel Clinic 8:30p Pets have been kept for centuries. Sta- tistics from various sources indicate North Americans own millions of dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Pets' affable nature and loving looks are enough for many people to welcome them into their homes, but the benefits of hav- ing a pet extends beyond their appearances and temperaments. Pets can help prevent loneliness Loneliness affects people of all ages, but it is particularly problematic among seniors. Older adults who may be isolated can ben- efit from having a pet around. According to a study published in Aging & Mental Health, older adults who owned pets were 36 per cent less likely to say they were lonely com- pared to those who didn't have an animal companion. Pets can save lives Pets can be trained to perform various tasks around the house and in the community. Res- cue animals assist in finding people after natural disasters. Medical alert pets can help people with debilitating illnesses and assist physically impaired people with everyday tasks. Pets help lower allergy risks Keeping pets around can reduce a child's likelihood of developing allergies by as much as 33 per cent, according to a study by pediatrician James E. Gern that was pub- lished in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. People exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall. Pets provide socialization opportunities A pet can be the common denominator to strike up new friendships and connect with others. Whether walking around the neigh- bourhood or being par t of a pet obedience class or interest group, pets can help their owners expand their social circles. Pets can help combat stress Talking to or stroking a pet can make stress easier to handle. A study from re- searchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that, when conduct- ing a stressful task, people experienced less stress when their pets were with them. Various other studies and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention have found having a pet around can lower blood pressure, ease anxiety and may even help to lessen aches and pains. Pets provide unconditional love, which can be beneficial to someone fac- ing depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Pets are more than mere companions In fact, pets can offer numerous health and well-being benefits to people of all ages. health Pet ownership can be the best medicine