National Pet Week Reminds Animal Lovers That 'Pets Jazz Up Our Lives'

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 02 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

National Pet Week, May 4-10, celebrates America's more than 172 million companion animals, and the remarkable role they play in improving the quality of our lives. All across the nation, veterinarians, veterinary technicians and others will use this opportunity to educate the public on how pets improve human health, and how pet owners can return the favor.

Dr. Gary S. Brown, a candidate for vice president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), says his animal clinic will be busy doing public outreach programs during Pet Week. "It's a really fun atmosphere for both people and pets," he explains. "Along with discounted service, we have a poster contest for children. One of the things that makes this contest fun is that a couple of the anchormen from the local television station volunteer their own time to serve as the judges."

Public response is strong; Dr. Brown says that his clinic received 470 entries to its poster contest last year and people lined up waiting for the veterinarians to arrive for traveling clinics that he runs. Dr. Brown is just one of thousands of veterinarians nationwide offering educational, animal health and public outreach programs in honor of National Pet Week.

National Pet Week was established in 1981 by the AVMA and its auxiliary to promote responsible pet ownership and awareness of veterinary medicine, and celebrate the human-animal bond. This year, the theme is "Pets Jazz up Our Lives" in recognition of the AVMA convention in New Orleans July 19-22.

"I think the most important thing about National Pet Week is recognizing the strong bond between people and animals," adds Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, president of the AVMA. "This week endorses the strong role animals play in our lives, particularly those that we keep as pets. Anyone who has ever shared their lives with a pet knows how much they enrich our lives. The human-animal bond has never been stronger."

Educating adults and children about responsible pet ownership is one of the most important elements of National Pet Week. Teachers are encouraged to visit the National Pet Week website at http://www.petweek.org/educators/educators.html, where, any time of the year, they can download lesson plans and work sheets on everything from safety around dogs and service animals to veterinary medicine and veterinarians. The AVMA also offers educators a 29-minute DVD for students, grades 6-12, about careers in veterinary medicine (http://www.avma.org/products/classroom/career_dvd.asp).

"National Pet Week celebrates responsible pet ownership, and also reminds everyone how important pets are in our lives," explains Ginger Morton, of the AVMA auxiliary. "Pets touch our lives in so many ways."

For more information, please visit http://www.avma.org or visit http://www.petweek.org.

The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health.

American Veterinary Medical Association