What is euthanasia, and why should it be considered by a pet ...

[j.rubin]

What is euthanasia, and why should it be considered by a pet owner? How would you counsel someone
  who is dealing with the loss of a pet?

Question 2

What are some of the therapeutic uses of pets?

[kswal303]

Answer to Question 1

Euthanasia is to induce the death of an animal quickly and painlessly, putting it to sleep. Euthanasia may be
the kindest thing you can do for a pet that is severely sick or injured.
Grieving over the loss of a pet is natural and common. When people are mourning the loss of a pet, they
should be allowed to express their feelings.

Answer to Question 2

Pets provide a great benefit to people with handicaps. Dogs can be vital in both a practical and psychological
way for people who are hearing impaired, vision impaired, or confined to wheelchairs or beds. Pets can help
elicit responses from severely withdrawn psychiatric patients.
Pets are good for latchkey children who would otherwise come home to empty houses after school and for
children who tend to be picked on by their classmates.
Reading aloud to pets has also been shown to assist special needs children in their efforts to learn to read.
Pets are important in helping people overcome illness. Pets can help us live longer, happier lives by
lowering our blood pressure.
Patients recovering from heart surgery have higher survival rates when they have a pet. Companion
animals can relieve the effects of loneliness and motivate patients to become more active mentally and
physically. Pets can help relieve the effects of PTSD.