Pets provide some very important therapeutic benefits including: Calming influence, help to relieve stress Boosting confidence and self-esteem especially in children Mental stimulation and entertainment – animals increase communication, laughter and play Help develop nurturing skills and empathy with animals and humans Provide unconditional love Animal-assisted (pet) therapy can be used in a variety of settings including the […]
At this time of year my father-in-law used to repeat an old Italian saying: " a San Martino ogni mosto è vino " – by St. Martin's day ( November 11 ) all the grapes are wine. November is the month when wines from this year's harvest are ready to taste, and winemakers and wine […]
What is a rare disease? >Rare diseases are diseases that affect a small number of people, usually fewer than 1 in 2,000 >A rare disease may be more common in some parts of the world, among certain populations and at different time periods >They are often genetic diseases, but could also be infectious or auto-immune […]
If you love to cook, or you just love to read and collect cookbooks, you might want to attend Building a Cookbook Collection on Thursday, October 6 at the North York Central Library. Does the bookshelf in your kitchen look anything like this? Cookbooks appeal to us with their gorgeous photos and their […]
Traditional Chinese Medicine includes a number of key components such as: The theory of Yin-Yang — two opposing but complementary forces Qi energy or vital energy that circulates in the body Five elements including fire, earth, metal, water and earth Practitioners use these concepts to construct individualized treatments that may consist of: Herbal medicines Acupuncture […]
Does your hand, wrist, neck or back ache at work? Do you feel stressed at work? You are not alone. The hand or wrist is the body part most often injured on the job, office and computer workers suffer the highest incidence of neck problems, and men in blue collar jobs are four times more […]
Are you considering a career as a health professional? Most faculties of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry require candidates to write aptitude tests when applying to their programs. You can find books to help you prepare for the MCAT, PCAT and DAT at many library locations. Type any of these acronyms in the library catalogue searchbox […]
For many, trying to say words and be understood is difficult and frustrating. In Canada, up to 10% of children and up to 6% of adults have a speech disorder. For more information read the Speech, Language and Hearing Fact Sheet from the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists. Speech disorders are common to […]
Injuries are the main cause of long and short-term disability for Canadians. Injuries due to accidents can be prevented. Key prevention tips include: Wearing protective gear for outdoor recreational activities Making living areas safe by removing tripping hazards and installing handrails or grab bars. Practice skills, stay fit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Who doesn't look forward to having more time to read in the summer, whether it's in a hammock, on the dock or at home on the patio or balcony? Lighter reading seems appropriate as we enjoy the slower pace of summer living, and summer reading lists usually focus on fiction: here are a […]