Ways Animals Serve Society

ANIMALS can contribute far more to societythan food, clothing, and by-products.

Throughout history, animals have aided in theestablishment of cities, beautified the countryside,and added to the joy of recreation. They have alsoserved society in other ways. In this E-unit, explorethe many ways that humans enjoy the benefits ofanimals.

Objective:

� Identify ways animals serve society.

Key Terms:

� companion animal

pleasure animal

service animal

How AnimalsBenefit Society

Animals in our society benefit all

of us, from the small farmer raising

livestock in the country to the police

officer fighting crime in the city.

Beyond providing the primary prod-

ucts of food and clothing, animals

play vital roles in more than just our

agricultural industry. Animals help

people in four main ways: compan-

ionship and pleasure, service, conser-

vation, and stabilization of the econ-

omy.

E-unit: Ways Animals Serve Society

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FIGURE 1. With proper training and care, dogs make good companions.

(Courtesy, Agricultural Research Service, USDA)

Some animals are identified as companion animals, and others as pleasure animals. A com-

panion animal is an animal that helps a person enjoy life. For example, dogs, cats, birds, rep-

tiles, and ornamental fish serve as pets for humans in today’s society. A pleasure animal is

an animal used for recreation or sport. Horses used for riding provide a major source of recre-

ation for many people. Furthermore, goats and bulls are used in rodeos.

Another area in which animals are used to assist humans is that of service and work. This

area uses the skills of animals to aid humans in society. Whether through a dog’s sense of smell

and direction or the strength of a team of horses, animals greatly affect the lives of many peo-

ple in today’s world. A service animal is an animal that assists people in living and work.

There are many different types of service animals and a variety of different training areas. For

example, dogs are used to help persons whose vision or hearing is impaired, to herd sheep, or

even to guard property. In addition, dogs aid in the fight against crime by being an integral

force of police canine units. Animals are carefully used in laboratories for discovering new

medicines to cure human diseases.

Perhaps one of the most impor-

tant benefits of animals is the con-

tribution of livestock to the con-

servation of soil and soil fertility.

The grasses and legumes used to

feed livestock are soil-conserving

crops. They form protective covers

on the land and help prevent wind

and water erosion. Nutrients are

removed from the soil by the crops

being grown. When the crops are

fed to livestock, about 80 percent

of the nutrient value is excreted in

the manure. Putting manure back

into the soil decreases the loss of

soil fertility.

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FURTHER EXPLORATION…ONLINE CONNECTION: Uses of Animals Throughout History

Animals have played vital parts in every avenue of human nature. With each century, animals have accel-

erated a change in our society. Whether through the growth of a city skyline, the expansion of the colonies

westward, or even the guidance of a visually impaired person to the grocery store, animals have facilitated

our country’s history. Investigate on line how service animal roles have changed throughout history and how

these roles have affected changes in our society. Explore online resources to discover why these roles

changed and how the animals have adapted to serve society further. Use the Internet to find out more about

how advancements in technology have aligned with the utilization of service animals. This research should

help you decide how technology has helped or limited animals in their assistance of humans.

FIGURE 2. Vegetation growth in grazing areas prevents soil and water

erosion. (Courtesy, Agricultural Research Service, USDA)

The benefits of animals can have a great impact on the U.S. economy. Livestock help bring

stability to farm businesses. Raising livestock makes good use of the resources already available

to farmers—land, labor, capital, and managerial ability—and can increase farm income. Includ-

ing livestock in a farm business helps spread risks over more enterprises. Also, both labor and

income are distributed more evenly throughout the year.

Summary:

� Besides providing food and clothing, animals help people in many areas of today’ssociety. Companionship, pleasure, service, conservation, and stabilization of theeconomy are but a few of the contributions animals make that help our societyfunction. Throughout our history, animals have been used to till the soil, aid intransportation, and build structures. The role of animals might have changed, butthey still greatly affect our society.

Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. What term is given to an animal that helps a person enjoy life?

2. What characterizes a service animal?

3. What percentage of the nutrient value is excreted in the manure when cropsare fed to livestock?

4. Raising livestock makes good use of what four resources already available tofarmers?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� Do animals enhance your life in ways other than the food you eat or the clothes youwear? Look at ways animals assist people in your community, your school, or even yourcity government. How do animals help? Why are they needed? Can they be replaced bytechnology? Why or why not? Write a one-page response to these questions.

Web Links:

� North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

http://www.narha.org/

Rural Heritage Online

http://www.ruralheritage.com/

Animal Waste Management

http://www.usawaterquality.org/themes/animal/

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