Dogs and cats always seem to be wagging their tails and smiling. Pets can teach us to be healthier and live happier, too.
There are many advantages of having a dog. Read how below:
Daily Exercise
Pet owners are more likely to get daily exercise because their pets require periodic activity. Pet owners get more exercise by going on walks, runs, and hikes with their dogs. The increase in activity associated with pets can help weight control, fight obesity, and keep your heart healthy.
Soothe Stress
Many top universities now offer puppy therapy during final exams to help soothe the rising stress of their students. Pets, especially puppies and kittens, have proved to lower the level of the stress hormone Cortisol in people. A study done in 2002 by researchers at SUNY Buffalo found that participants with dogs or cats had a lower resting heart rate and blood pressure than participants that did not own any pets. The study also concluded that pet owners experienced a smaller spike in heart rate during stressful situations (in this case answering difficult math questions) than their counterparts without pets.
Strengthen Existing and Create New Relationships
Pets are a great way to connect with people. It is much easier to go up to someone on the street and start a conversation when one or both of you have a dog. It is an immediate commonality and source of connection between people making small talk at work or parties. According to a study conducted at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 18 to 26 year-olds who felt they had a strong bond with their pets also reported stronger relationships and connections to their communities. Young adults who had a strong connection with their pets were reported to be more confident and empathetic and to hold stronger leadership skills.
Sense of Responsibly and Purpose
Owning a pet can increase a person’s self-worth. Adopting a pet from a shelter can give a pet owner a sense of meaning, as adoption often saves the pet’s life. Pet owners generally tend to have a stronger sense of purpose because they feel responsible for another life. Taking care of a dog also requires a large amount of responsibility. A daily routine of feeding, walking, and playing with your pet is necessary to keep them happy and creates structure in your day to day life.
Companionship
A person’s day can easily be brightened by coming home to a tail-wagging animal. Constant companionship fights off the feeling of loneliness and other emotions that often trigger depression. Companionship with a pet can also build self-confidence and help owners overcome social anxiety. When entering a new or uncomfortable situation, having your furry friend by your side provides a sense of security and well-being.
Therapy Dogs
Dogs are trained to keep their owners healthy in a plethora of ways. Some dogs can now sniff a person’s breath and detect if they have cancer with 91% accuracy. Other service dogs can detect the oncoming of a seizure, heart attack, and many other medical emergencies. Some dogs are trained to detect allergens before their severely allergic owners can come into contact with them, and other pets are trained to press a life alert button in the case of an emergency with their elderly owner. Many pets are trained to be companion dogs, and some can help owners overcome traumatic experience. Paws for Purple Hearts is an organization that matches veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with trained service dogs. The dogs help veterans fight through their PTSD and create and maintain meaningful relationships. Veterans with a purple hearts dog noticed benefits like better sleep, a decrease in emotional numbness and startled response, less anxiety and need for medication, a renewed sense of purpose, and improved family dynamics and sociability, among a number of other benefits. Petting a service dog can cause unwanted situations, learn here why you should never pet a service dog when dogs are on duty.
Happiness
Pets are proven to increase levels of Ocxytocin and Serotonin in the brain, the hormones responsible for happiness. The benefits of owning a dog listed above can create a sense of contentment and happiness in life – even just playing with your pet can bring a smile to your face. Owning a Dog : The Trick to a Happier and Healthier Life. Dogs can teach us to be happier and live healthier.
Make a difference in your day and in a dog’s life. Find the right pet for you !
Find here our Top 10 Ways Pets Improve Your Health !