Furry Friends With Benefits

It is no secret that dogs are man’s best friend—the best friend that will never let you down, and will somehow always bring a smile to your face. They bring so much happiness into our lives, and their constant jubilant attitudes make it nearly impossible to not love them. But, dogs are much more than our friendly companions—as it has been proven time and time again by professionals that they provide us with much more than good company: They can significantly improve our health, too. If the idea of getting a dog has been crossing your mind lately, but you just can’t seem to decide, here are a few quick facts about these cuddly animals that will hopefully persuade you into taking in a dog as your own.

1.) They can keep you in good shape.

A Canadian study has shown that dog owners are much more likely to participate in moderate physical activity than non-dog owners. With all of the long walks, time spent playing with them, etc., the minutes of physical activity add up faster than you think. This activity does so much good for your body—it increases flexibility and strength, maintains bone health, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and keeps your joints loose, just to name a few.

2.) They are amazing for heart health.

A research study published by the “American Journal of Cardiology” explained the correlation of the health of 369 heart attack patients and whether or not they owned a dog. It turns out that a year after they were released from the hospital, those who had a dog had a much higher rate of survival than those who did not.

3.) If you have children, keep reading—because dogs can significantly lessen the risk of developing allergies within them.

A study of 470 children has established that children growing up in households with dogs lessened their risk of developing allergies by up to 77%. I know, you’re probably wondering how? It turns out that the bacteria dogs carry works to amp up the immune system, which therefore allows for children to have a better chance of resisting the allergens they will face later in their lives.

4.) Believe it or not, dogs can increase your life span.

I know this sounds a little implausible, but a study of 3.4 million people has shown that those with dogs were less likely to die of cardiovascular disease, even when taking their age, body mass, and other factors into consideration. However, those without a dog in this study were found to have a 33% higher risk of death than those who did have a dog. The exact reasoning as to why owning a dog increases your life span is unclear. but a few of the assumed reasons could be due to the increase in physical activity that comes with owning a dog, the typical increase of time spent in nature, or even simply just because you are always spending time with a compassionate, outgoing companion.

These are just a few of the amazing effects having a dog can have on us and our health—and I hope they can convince you into adopting one as your own! The duties that come along with owning a dog may seem demanding or frightening at first, but their unceasing amounts of love and happiness truly is contagious. All in all, nothing is better than coming home after a long day and being greeted with a jubilant, loving dog, and they will always do their very best to keep their owners happy…and healthy.

By Kim Holderness

Sources

‘8 Science-Based Benefits of Having a Dog.” AKC.org, 02 Nov. 2017, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/8-science-based-benefits-dog/

Forbes, Jennifer. “The Health Benefits of Having a Dog.” thebark.com, April 2016. https://thebark.com/content/health-benefits-having-dog

Zetlin, Minda. “5 Hard-to-Believe Yet Scientifically Proven Benefits of Owning a Dog.” inc.com, https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/dog-owner-health-mental-emotional-benefits.html