It turns out dogs are not only good for our health; finding missing people; and helping disabled people live independent lives – they’re good for kids’ report cards, too!

Canines have been found to improve the immune system and reduce blood pressure, among other health benefits. They help rescuers and law officers, blind people and those with limited use of their hands and arms. Now we have another reason to celebrate man’s best friend.

“Dogs not only help children learn how to read, they help children learn to love reading,” says Michael Amiri, coauthor with his wife, Linda, of the children’s book, Shellie, the Magical dog. “And that’s true of for children with and without learning disabilities.”

A Minnesota pilot project called PAWSitive Readers finds that trained therapy dogs helped 10 of 14 grade-school participants improve their reading skills by one grade level. Additionally, a University of California study showed that children who read to the family dog improved their ability by an average of 12 percent.

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A few weeks ago, the USDA warned about the impending increase in food prices as drought continues to diminish corn and soybean crops. More recently, however, the USDA advised corn crop yields are even less than previously estimated, making the future of grocery bills even more bleak.

Since 40% of US-grown corn is used for animal feed, beef, pork and poultry will see the most significant price increases. If you and your family depend on meat as a primary source of protein, consider the following eight strategies for how to save money on food without sacrificing your taste buds.

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There is bad news for boys in North America: they are being blown out of the water by girls in academic achievement, and psychologists say young men are becoming more socially awkward, making relationships with young women difficult.

Sidney Gale, a medical doctor and author of Unto the Breach (www.sidneygale.com), an outdoor adventures book for boys, is concerned about the following statistics:

• Boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to drop out or flunk out of school. In Canada, five boys drop out for every three girls.
• Boys are underperforming girls at every level, from elementary to grad school.
• Boys are less likely than girls to get bachelor's of arts (44% vs. 56%) and graduate degrees, (45% vs. 55%).

Research has shown that life changes, such as the transitions to middle school, high school or college, can serve as triggers that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. For this reason, Eating Recovery Center, an international center providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and binge eating disorder, encourages parents of children and adolescents making these life transitions to be vigilant for early symptoms of eating disorders.

"Children and adolescents who are high-achieving, perfectionists and who have highly sensitive temperaments are generally at a higher risk than other children for developing an eating disorder," said Julie Holland, MHS, certified eating disorders specialist and chief marketing officer of Eating Recovery Center. "For these individuals, unhealthy coping mechanisms may be utilized to manage the stressors associated with significant life changes."

A 2012 study from the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that significant transitional events, as well as a lack of support following traumatic life events, could serve as eating disorder triggers. Researchers identified school transitions as one of the six main factors that triggered eating disorders among the individuals who participated in the study.

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Now that school is back in session, you are probably wondering how to make it a great experience for both your child and your family. Before becoming a work-at-home mom to my daughter, I was a school teacher for six years and have a few insider's tips for how to stay healthy and happy this year.  Keep reading to learn more!

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Here's a newsflash: it costs a lot to have a baby!

A recent report from the USDA estimates the cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is a staggering $287,000. This represents a 25-percent increase over the past decade, thanks to the rising cost of groceries and medical care. The kicker? This amount doesn't include the expenses associated with pregnancy and delivery.

Just to bring a baby home from the hospital requires a few must-have items for new parents. These are only the bare basics a mom will need to get out of the hospital with her new baby (based on average costs).

• Car seat - $100
• Clothing - $50
• Diapers - $72 (one-month supply)
• Wipes - $20 (one-month supply)
• Crib with mattress & sheets - $230
• Bottles (unless breastfeeding) - $60
• Formula (unless breastfeeding) - $105 (one-month supply)
• Hospital bill - $15,000 (uncomplicated vaginal delivery, no insurance)

TOTAL: $15,637

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