CAPS: A super-easy way to reduce stress

Dear reader, I don’t know about you, but watching the news on television has been adding stress to my life. I decided to search for a non-addictive form of stress relief. Amazingly, I found one that not only reduces stress, but also makes me laugh. I am watching cute puppy videos.

A recent study on stress conducted by the University of Leeds found that every participant’s heart rate dropped significantly after watching 30 minutes of cute animal videos. They concluded that the videos made an immediate and positive impact on health and brain function.

You can thank your brain for the stress busting, because it releases feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin that help you remain calm and happy. When we encounter something cute, it ignites brain activity in the orbit frontal cortex regions, the areas directly linked to emotion and pleasure.

The cuteness criteria for fur babies include rounded head and body, large head relative to body size, large protruding forehead, and large eyes. Kinderschema is the German term for this particular cuteness. It demands our attention because babies have privileged access to our consciousness, and we get a good feeling from the encounter.

I suspect that humans are wired to appreciate cuteness, because it sustains the life cycle. As my brother said when his son was crying non-stop for hours, “It is a good thing he is so darn cute, this is wearing on my nerves!” He probably could have used a good puppy video at that point to boost his mood.   

ATTENTION

CAPS is in no longer in quarantine. We are now accepting and adopting dogs.

LOOKING FOR A HOME 

We have two adorable male puppies six and eight months old.

We also have four fluffy male kittens ages three to eight months in a rainbow of colors. All our babies need foster homes. Call 775-7500 for details.

IN NEED OF

• Dog Walkers! We desperately need volunteers to walk and socialize our dogs. Call 775-423-7500 for details.  
• Fancy Feast kitten wet food.
• Cat litter (clump) for our guests’ comfort.
• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.  

SHOUT OUT TO

USA Cash Services for their generous cash donation and the two boxes of miscellaneous supplies for our shelter. A Four-Paw-Salute to you!

COME SEE US

The Fallon Elks #2239 are sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off on Feb. 11. The doors open at 10 a.m. and judging is at noon. A donation to CAPS is the entrance fee and all proceeds will go to CAPS. Bring your best chili to warm up a chilly day. Call 775-428-1366 for details.

CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.

DON’T FORGET

• February Holiday: Dog Training Education Month. You can sponsor an adoption by paying part or full adoption fees.
• Due to rising costs in shelter and veterinary care, we have adjusted our adoption fees. Dog adoptions are $150 for female $125 for male. Cat adoptions are $100 for female $80 for male. All adoptees are healthy, spayed/neutered, chipped, and have all necessary shots.
• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
• Over the Rainbow-If you would like your pet remembered send his/her name and a short description to Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, at jkwmil@outlook.com.