At Ohio Animal Advocates, we’ve long believed in the powerful bond between humans and animals—and now, science is proving what pet lovers have always known in their hearts: animals don’t just make life sweeter, they help us heal.

A recent article by Ed Boks, The Healing Power of Paws and Whiskers, dives deep into the growing body of research showing just how profoundly companion animals impact human health—emotionally, mentally, and physically.

An old apartment building in Akron was condemned, forcing tenants to evacuate abruptly and leaving three cats stranded inside for several days. Two cats belonged to tenants who no longer had stable housing, and the third owner couldn’t bring their cat to their new residence. With no way to re-enter and care for the animals, their situation grew urgent. After multiple rescue attempts failed, Channel 19 News put out a plea for help. That’s when Crystal Riggi of Riggi Rescue stepped in. Clyde was later reunited with his mom, Ember was transferred to Forever Friends Foundation and adopted on 4/4, and Leo is currently recovering with Riggi Rescue, awaiting dental care before he’s ready for adoption.

In 2014, Russian scientists released two orphaned Amur tiger cubs, Boris and Svetlaya, into the wild. What unfolded was an extraordinary tale of survival, determination, and a connection that inspired tiger conservation efforts globally.

Join us for a FREE RedRover webinar on Inspiring Kids to be Kind with Kind News! Hear from two humane education advocates on how they are using Kind News magazine to foster kindness and empathy in their communities in this virtual webinar.