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