Mutual Rescue™ Book Released In Paperback Just In Time for Those Looking for a Great Quarantine Read

    SAN JOSE, CA, March 20, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As the COVID-19 crisis and its associated shutdowns and quarantine requirements continue to unfold, many people are being reminded or rediscovering just how important pets can be during times of stress and challenge. People are also looking for messages of hope and great books to read. "Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too" is both and provides validation for why our pets can make such a difference in human lives.

Launched in hardcover in April of last year, this April 7, 2020 the book comes out in trade paperback for the first time, inviting new readers to come along on author Carol Novello's journey into science and heart of how humans and animals transform each other's lives. All earnings from the sale of the book will benefit Mutual Rescue, a national initiative of Humane Society Silicon Valley, a non-profit corporation.

Inspired by her own personal experience and years in the animal-welfare industry, Carol shares real-life stories of how companion animals can help relieve a range of troubles — and the scientific research that proves it. The book is divided up into four sections: heart, body, mind, and connection.

Heart shares stories of people whose rescue animals have helped them face inconceivable trauma and grief, and provided the strength they needed to find their way forward. Supporting studies show that pets help people stay calmer in the face of stress, build people's confidence about their ability to attain life goals, and serve as a safe haven that can provide comfort in times of need.

Body shares stories of people who've learned that adopting a cat or dog not only helps them become healthier, but also helps them cope with and recover from physical illnesses and injuries and shows them how to thrive in spite of their disabilities. The healthy influence of pets is supported by many studies, such as those on heart health that show a correlation between pets and improved cardiovascular health, including lower blood pressure and reduced stress.

Mind shows how rescue animals can actually save people coping with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), offering them hope, helping them create healthier patterns of thought, and leading them toward lives filled with meaning and compassion. Supporting research shows that interacting with a pet increases the level of serotonin in the brain, a hormone that helps fight depression.

Connection reveals how pets can strengthen relationships with the people we love; how we can bond deeply with many types of animals — not just cats and dogs; and how, when rescue pets make people healthier and happier, something remarkable can happen. Supporting studies in this area show that our ability to relate to others, including significant others, is improved with pets.

Mutual Rescue is a national initiative that highlights the connection between people and pets in order to inspire and support life-saving efforts in communities across the nation and world. The group's films have been viewed by people all over the globe more than 153 million times.

The paperback edition of the "Mutual Rescue" book is available wherever books are sold. For more information, visit www.MutualRescue.org.

Praise for Carol Novello and "Mutual Rescue"

"Through authentic accounts, scientific evidence, and personal narrative, Carol Novello illustrates how when we rescue a homeless animal, we ourselves are so often rescued right back! This book is destined to save lives." ─Marty Becker, DVM and Jack Canfield, #1 NY Times bestselling co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul

"I love Mutual Rescue's films, so when I heard about this new book, I raced to read it. The stories about rescued pets rescuing people were like rays of bright sunshine on a stormy afternoon. Truly an awe-inspiring book!" ─Marci Shimoff, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul

"Mutual Rescue juxtaposes authentic stories and scientific thought about the animal-human bond. It touches hearts, opens minds, and inspires compassion—a life-changing book." ─Brian Hare, Founder of Duke Canine Cognition Center and New York Times Bestseller Author of The Genius of Dogs

"Packed with heartrending stories of struggling people who have adopted homeless animals, this fascinating book reveals the many unrecognized ways dogs and cats can ground us, provide a sense of purpose and give us the strength to move forward. Part science, part story, Mutual Rescue is all heart. It made me cry and filled me with hope for our planet and every person on it." ─Mallika Chopra, author of Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy

"Adopting a pet can greatly benefit the lives of people who are emotionally hurting.
Read these heartwarming stories in Mutual Rescue." ─Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

About: Carol Novello is the founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of "Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too" (new in paperback, April 2020). Mutual Rescue is a national initiative that highlights the connection between people and pets in order to inspire and support life-saving efforts in communities across the nation and world. Mutual Rescue's first short film, "Eric & Peety," went viral around the globe and has been viewed more than 100 million times. A former senior software executive at Intuit, Carol served as president of Humane Society Silicon Valley for nearly a decade and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. She is proud to include several rescue animals in her family. Visit www.MutualRescue.org.

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