Dogs

Not just a man’s best friend...

Most dog owners will recognise that warm fuzzy feeling they get when talking about their beloved Milly or Midge, Fido or Fang, but research now appears to confirm what we’d always hoped - that our four-legged friends are also good for our health. It’s no surprise that 90% of dog owners agree that dogs are considered important members of our families, providing unconditional love, loyalty and companionship, which of themselves can have their own mental-health benefits. Research also suggests that dogs can boost your child’s health through 'priming', via exposure, of the infant's developing immune system – studies undertaken at the University of Warwick on the health of children in pet-owning and non-pet-owning households showed that absenteeism from school through illness was significantly less amongst pet-owning children, with children in the first two year levels (aged 5-7 years) having 18% and 13% better attendance respectively than non-pet owning children.

Other studies have suggested that dog ownership can help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and stress in adults as well as helping those with depressive tendencies - pet ownership has been shown to boost the levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. As such, pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other negative states.

Dogs also help improve our health by demanding that we get out of the house and exercise them on a regular basis, which can also have added benefits by aiding social interaction – how often have you taken a dog into a park and NOT been approached by fellow dog owners wanting to talk while the dogs play?!
So next time Gussie’s barking for his supper, or wants to be let out just as you’re settling onto your favourite sofa, remember there are a lot more benefits than just unconditional love he’s giving you and your family. (p.s. Numerous dogs were consulted when researching this piece...)