A Helping Hand

Journal Revision: A Helping Hand by Eva Piper

11/20/24

Period 4

Animals are vital in humanity’s lives, constantly assisting humans in countless ways. They provide companionship and emotional support, and they are involved in various work and tasks. The link between creatures and people is profound and loyal, built on a mutual survival instinct. Following are some ways animals lend a hand (or paw!) to society. To start, they provide us with goods on which we often rely. For one, a fair amount of daily-use items come from animals. From a wool sweater to chapstick, they give us a lot. Plenty of foods and drinks come from animals. One prevalent example is cows, which produce milk, which we then transform into other dairy products, like cheese or ice cream. Also, some paramount medications emanate from animals. That includes albumin, used for treating low blood protein and blood plasma volumes. It comes from egg whites, which are from chickens. Next, in addition to goods, animals can also help in the form of services. Not too long ago, (and now, but less frequently) many communities depended on critters to get from place to place. For instance, the iconic horse and carriage. Moreover, agriculture and farming feature animals all the time. Between fertilizer and traditional plows, animals play their part effectively. On a more medical level, animals are often used to assist anyone unable to do something. Guide dogs lead the visually impaired to safety, while in a hilarious case, a monkey helped his impaired owner fetch groceries! Lastly, animals are excellent at calming humans and spreading joy. Even small interactions with pets cause the brain to produce oxytocin, sometimes called the “cuddle chemical.” Studies have shown that 87.3% of Americans are happier than the average person because they own a pet. Furthermore, there are many instances of pets helping out on the emotional side of things. Reading to dogs is a classic example of animals relieving stress and making people comfortable. Likewise, the mere presence of an animal decreases levels of cortisol and reduces loneliness, resulting in endorphins and comfort. All in all, animals and humans have a great friendship, full of love and support. Thank you, creatures!