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Pets and People: The Power of the Health Connection
This program is available for credit until July 20, 2010

Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Public Health and Discovery Health Channel. The University of Virginia School of Medicine and Public Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Virginia School of Medicine and Public Health designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Program Overview
There are convincing reasons to own a pet beyond popularity. The advantages are far-reaching, from the cardiovascular benefits of walking a dog to service pets that assist people with disabilities. Hosted by Jeff Corwin, this CME program addresses the therapeutic roles of pets in helping their human owners achieve positive health outcomes.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the role of pet ownership for health outcomes.
• Identify ways in which pet ownership can help patients meet exercise goals.
• Discuss the role of pets as social support.
• Review the data on pet ownership and measures of cardiovascular health.
• List the ways in which trained pets can assist people with disabilities, and explain how patients can obtain service dogs.
• Describe the use of therapy dogs and their benefits for hospitalized patients.

Target Audience
Primary Care Physicians, Cardiologists, Veterinarians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and other health care professionals interested in exploring the health connections between pets and people.

Faculty Disclosure Information
As a sponsor accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of the University of Virginia School of Medicine to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other commercial supporter(s) of this activity or the manufacturer(s) of any commercial products(s) discussed in an educational presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made during the program.

Acknowledgement of Commercial Support
This program is supported by an educational grant from Del Monte Foods.