Benefits of Owning A Dog

Dog Owners Are Healthier People! How cool is that?

There are lots of adorable reasons to have a dog, but let’s talk about the medical benefits of owning a dog! Dog’s have been scientifically proven to not only make us happier, but also make us healthier! Lowering blood pressure and generally helping us live fuller, calmer and longer lives. There was even a major medical breakthrough that children raised in multi-pet homes have less allergies than children who are not raised with pets. Isn’t that interesting?

Emotional Benefits of Owning a Dog

One of the biggest medical benefits of owning a dog is the way they make us feel. Dogs improve mental health in so many ways. Pets have been proven to lower depression rates and improve overall attitude. Dogs improve our mental health by lowering our feelings of loneliness, reducing stress, and encouraging social interaction with others about your pet.  Who doesn’t smile when they come home to that happy wagging tail?  If only we greeted each other the way our pets greet us when we get home.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been gone for 15 minutes or 8 hours, they are so happy to see you.  Not to mention the way they make you feel when they snuggle with you.  I’ll take a little “puppy loving” over meditation any day of the week!  That’s one of the best benefits of owning a dog to me.

Senior Citizen Benefits of Owning A Pet

There is proof that Senior dog owners are healthier people, too.  I think the most amazing health benefits for senior citizens are that pets make them feel more safe and secure.  Pets also keep them more active by giving them someone to take care of.  Something I will never forget during my experience in working with the elderly is that they often miss being touched.  It seems that as people age and become frail, we tend to touch them less, due to fear of hurting them.  Pets alleviate those feeling so much!  A pet is never afraid to touch and snuggle.  More and more I hear news from past customers about pet therapy in nursing homes.  Several of my furry children have gone on to become the highlight of an elderly persons day in a nursing home setting.  If you have a loved one in a nursing home facility, inquire about pet therapy for them!

Other Resources on the Benefits of Having a Dog

Dachshund Saves Family from House Fire – examiner.com 

Health Benefits of Pets – WebMD

Dog Won’t Leave – Navy Seal John Tumilson was Killed in Active Duty, His Dog Hawkeye, Refused to Leave His Owner’s Casket

Dogs Improve Health – Dogs Improve Health of Their Human Companions