| According to studies, having a dog as a | | | | suggested that there are hormonal |
| companion could add years to your life. | | | | changes that occur when humans and dogs |
| One study concluded that owning a dog | | | | interact which could help people cope |
| played a significant role on survival | | | | with depression and certain |
| rates in heart attack victims. In | | | | stress-related disorders. Apparently |
| another one of these studies, patients | | | | the simple act of taking a few minutes |
| were evaluated for one year after they | | | | to pet your dog prompts a release of a |
| had been admitted to the hospital. It | | | | number of "feel good" hormones in |
| was discovered by Researchers that the | | | | humans, including serotonin, prolactin |
| patients who were alive one year after | | | | and oxytocin. |
| having a heart attack were more likely | | | | Other studies showed that the presence |
| to own a dog. | | | | of animals, especially dogs, helped to |
| In terms of determining the patient's | | | | reduce the anxiety of people confronting |
| likelihood of long-term survival, | | | | stressful situations, such as dental |
| another study that focused on the top | | | | surgery. Separate studies reported that |
| psychological factors that contributed | | | | walking a dog can not only contribute to |
| to the recovery of patients with | | | | a person's weight loss but can also be a |
| heart-disease, ranked pet ownership on | | | | catalyst for interaction with other |
| top. Studies have also shown dogs can | | | | people, which can help improve a |
| have a soothing influence that in turn | | | | person's sense of well-being. |
| helps to keep blood pressure levels in a | | | | Most studies show therapy using dogs to |
| healthy range. [1] | | | | be one of the most cost-effective |
| Dr Deborah Wells a psychologist from | | | | methods of helping people suffering from |
| Queen's University, Belfast, writing in | | | | emotional challenges and state that |
| the British Journal of Health Psychology | | | | people living without pets are exposed |
| said dog owners tended to have lower | | | | to "more persistent fears, increased |
| blood pressure and cholesterol. After | | | | feelings of panic, experience more |
| reviewing dozens of earlier research | | | | frequent headaches and take more |
| papers which explored the health | | | | medication for stress-induced illnesses |
| benefits of pet ownership she confirmed | | | | than pet owners". |
| that pet owners tended in general to be | | | | In fact the Siskin Hospital in Tennessee |
| healthier than the average member of the | | | | has a "Pet Therapy" program to assist in |
| population. | | | | rehabilitation. They state: "The Pet |
| However, her research suggested that dog | | | | Therapy Program uses carefully screened |
| ownership produced more positive | | | | dogs and cats as an integral part of |
| influence than cat ownership. As well as | | | | physical, speech, recreational and |
| lower blood pressure and cholesterol, | | | | occupational therapies to address |
| she said dog-owners suffered fewer minor | | | | treatment goals including improving |
| ailments and serious medical problems. | | | | range of motion, strength and endurance, |
| There was also the suggestion that dogs | | | | balance, mobility, and sensation. In |
| could aid recovery from serious | | | | addition to the physical benefits of pet |
| illnesses such as heart attacks, and act | | | | therapy, patients form a connection with |
| as 'early warning' to detect an | | | | the animal; reducing stress and building |
| approaching epileptic seizure. [2] | | | | self-esteem through the animals' |
| In fact, the State University of New | | | | unconditional acceptance". [3] |
| York at Buffalo conducted a study which | | | | So next time you start feeling stressed |
| involved 24 stockbrokers that were | | | | out or overwhelmed go spend some time |
| taking prescription medication for high | | | | with your dog and if you don't have a |
| blood pressure. Researchers determined | | | | dog you may want to consider getting |
| that adding a dog or cat to the stock | | | | one. Maybe you can get your doctor to |
| brokers' lives helped stabilize and even | | | | prescribe a dog for you and get your |
| reduce their levels of stress. | | | | health insurance to pay for it. Just |
| In other research conducted by the | | | | kidding. |
| University of Missouri-Columbia studies | | | | |