Traumatic experiences and Farm Animal Psychological Health

Originally from: Mike
                        
Recent natural disasters, from Tsunami to Hurricanes, remind us that animals as well as humans can be mentally traumatized and suffer mental illness – in the case of farm animals especially, often manifesting as managemnt or production problems.

In the UK so far, farm animal disasters have usually taken the form of farm fires, transport vehicle incidents and aircraft incidents.

With it's history of severe weather problems and fears of agroterrorism, the U.S. now has well-organized training for veterinarians, farmers and Dept. of Agriculture staff in the management of "Farm Animal Disasters" (see www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=596).
Sadly, it seems that they were not as well trained and organised for dealing with a major human urban disaster!

Blackell Scientific have just brought our an amazing new book which brings together, for the first time, a range of expert authoritative reviews on the long-neglected topics of "psychological trauma" and "psychological health" in animals.

Psychological health ("Wellbeing") is now clearly seen to be linked to physical health and immune system function – the research on this is now very extensive. Well-being is also now being viewed from a holistic perspective.

The book gives some practical tips on how to promote Psychological Health in animals and how to cure problems when they arise.

I have put a review, content list and more details of this new manual online at: www.lovehealth.org/books/animal.htm
 in case you are interested to get on board with this major new development in animal health.

Best wishes to all – may your disasters be small and highly recoverable! Mike