INTERVIEW ALERT - CANADIANS TRUST THEIR PETS MORE THAN PEOPLE

CALGARY, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - A recent Harris/Decima study¹ reveals that more than half (60%) of Albertan pet owners think animals are more reliable than people.

Pets offer us unconditional love and acceptance, which feeds our psychological needs as a species.  It is not uncommon for people to become deeply attached to the companionship that pets provide, looking to them as confidantes, matchmakers, personal trainers or even therapists.  In fact, statistics show that nearly all Albertans (90%) talk to their pets, and close to a third confide in Milo or Fido - even confessing their biggest secrets.

But what's the psychology behind why pets make our lives richer?

On December 15^th and 16^th, psychotherapist Shiri Joshua is available to discuss the powerful bond between pets and humans.

Who:	Psychotherapist Shiri Joshua, speaker and educator specializing in the animal-human relationship
What:	Why it is all in our head: The enormous effect pets have on humans, in particular our emotional health
	Love, love me do-g: How pets help us start and manage relationships, romantic, platonic and familial
	Pets: the original "social network": How our pets help us to connect with people in our community
	Taking the dog park online: New online communities that can connect pet lovers
When:	December 15^th and 16^th, 2010

_________________________

¹The Harris/Decima omnibus poll was an independent poll commissioned by Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada and conducted between November 11 and 14, 2010.  It surveyed 1,014 adult Canadians, of which 781 own or have owned a cat or dog.  The margin of error for this subgroup is +/-3.5%

For further information:

or to book an interview, please contact:

Aly Ruiz / Janessa Bishop / Lorna Freeman
Environics Communications
416-969-2763 / 416-969-2669 / 416-969-2711
[email protected] /[email protected] / [email protected]