CONTENTS -- FOREWORD -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- INTRODUCTION -- 1 PERSPECTIVES ON ANIMALS -- 2 ANIMAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNDERSTANDING AGING -- Expression -- Patterns of Aging -- Physiological Changes -- Cardiovascular Function -- Pulmonary Structure and Function -- Gastrointestinal Function -- Taste and Smell -- Kidney Function and Acid-Base Balance -- Metabolism, Temperature Regulation, and Physical Activity -- Hormonal Changes -- Nervous System -- Diet -- Theories -- Prospects -- 3 ANIMAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO GERIATRIC MEDICINE -- Coronary Heart Disease-Atherosclerosis -- Cancer -- Diet and Disease -- Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease -- Mental Disorders -- Educational Considerations in Geriatric Medicine -- 4 THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMPANION ANIMALS TO HUMAN WELL-BEING -- Landmarks in the Use of Animals in Therapy -- Benefits of Animals to Human Health -- Animals as Aids -- Community-Wide Animal Programs -- Evaluative Instruments -- Potential Problems -- 5 AFTERWORD -- Nutrition -- Chemical Constituents in the Diet -- Animal Contributions to the Aging -- Conclusion -- APPENDIX A: AGENCIES TRAINING DOGS TO AID THE HANDICAPPED -- Visually Handicapped -- Hearing Handicapped -- Physically Handicapped -- APPENDIX B: YOUNG ANIMAL SELECTION -- Puppy -- Kitten -- REFERENCES -- INDEX -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.