Dr. James LaCroce's blog

Dog Therapy?

There is ample data that animals provide comfort to
individuals with physical illnesses. The images of
elderly individuals petting a furry friend while smiling
ear to ear has been widely publicized for a few
decades. The results are not only physical, but also
mental. (Beck, 2002). There are also results that
suggest it makes clients feel more relaxed and positive
when a dog is present in a psychologist’s office. One
recent study indicated that clients even view their
therapists more positively when they have an animal
present in their office.

Children's
Mental Health
Awareness Day

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
has declared that May 6, 2010 is Children's Mental-
Health Awareness Day. This year it "will specifically
focus on increasing basic awareness of the importance
positive mental health has on a child's healthy
development, with the key message that positive
mental health is essential to a child's healthy
development from birth."

Children, like adults, have both mental health needs
and resources. The most well-adjusted children
have adequate support from family, peers,

http://noevalleyvoice.com/2010/December-January/Gay.htm

Noe Valley Voice December-January 2010
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Local Author Draws on Childhood to Write a Book on Gay Adoption

By Heather World
Psychologist James LaCroce is not just monkeying around in his new children’s book about a chimpanzee. He also hopes to advance the cause of gay parenting. Photo by Pamela Gerard