• Anna Bettina Johnson
• Anthony Holloway
• BL Ochman
• Bridget Pilloud
• Janet Roper
• Dr. Jill Elliot

The many ways that owning a dog is good for your health

Anyone who has a dog knows they are funny and faithful and sweet. It turns out that owning a dog also is good for your health.

Dr June McNicholas, a British health psychologist who studies the health effects of pet ownership, says that dog owners in general tend to be healthier than the general population. She says that may be because we spend time daily walking our dogs. Besides being good for the body, exercise helps manage stress.

Other researchers have proven other health benefits enjoyed by dog owners, including:

• Pets can provide social support. People who walk their dogs are seen by other people as friendly and approachable.

•  Pets can help manage blood pressure. Stroking and patting a pet can reduce the physiological indicators of stress. It can be as effective as medication in reducing high blood pressure.

•  Pets may increase our self-esteem. The non-judgmental companionship and love offered by pets is known to have considerable mental health benefits for owners, including increased self-esteem.

Pet ownership can benefit the whole community
Research at he University of Western Australia found that pet owners, in particular dog owners, were more likely to:

• Acknowledge and greet other people in the street. People smile at me all the time when I’m walking my big brown bear of a dog, and many ask to pet him.

• Exchange favors with neighbors. My neighbors and I frequently help each other by feeding or walking our dogs.

• Meet others in their neighborhood. I don’t know about you, but I know every dog owner in the neighborhood, and my dog has introduced me to a lot of really great people over the years.

Add a Comment

3 Comments

whatsnext (BL Ochman)

Twitter Comment

Pawfun: the many ways owning a dog is good for your health & better than medication for blood pressure [link to post]

– Posted using Chat Catcher

pawfun (Paw Fun)

Twitter Comment

the many ways owning a dog is good for your health & better than medication for blood pressure [link to post]

– Posted using Chat Catcher