The Many Health Benefits of Dogs as Pets

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