Ever wondered what the benefits are of owning a furry friend? In today’s
article, we’ll unpack the benefits of dog ownership on both our health and our
happiness – two intangibles that are so often intertwined. So, let’s not beat
around the bush. Here’s what we can be thankful for….





Dogs lift our spirits after a long day





Studies show that animal lovers get a boost of oxytocin when they
interact with a treasured animal. Oxytocin is a hormone commonly known to
regulate “social bonding”, and it’s the same hormone released after a mother
gives birth to a child. Yep, that feel-good feeling floods through us when
we’re greeted by our dogs come home-time.





Dogs encourage us to get outdoors





There’s no sitting still with a dog around. In fact, studies show that
dogs help us to lower our blood pressure, in part because we’re forced to get
more exercise. Scientists have also posited that dogs are natural
stress-relievers (despite the stress they might cause!) capable of thickening
our resolve and keeping our head high during a grueling day at work.





Dogs teach us about ourselves





Obesity, cancer and dementia are just a few of the ailments that humans
and dogs both suffer from. Perhaps in part because dogs have evolved around
humans, their symptoms are incredibly similar to ours, and scientists have been
able to turn to dogs to understand the human condition better. Incredibly, dogs
are not only man’s best friend, but also a source of medical knowledge as well.





Dogs help us make friends with other people





Not only are dogs social creatures that keep us endlessly entertained,
they also help us make friends with others. As we age and our social circle
diminishes, having a dog helps us meet people, and gives us a community to
belong to. This shouldn’t be underestimated, and it’s one reason dogs are
popular amongst people who have retired.





Dogs are great for children





Dogs teach children all sorts of things: how to be more patient; how to
behave; how to enjoy being active. You only have to watch a dog and a child
interacting to realize that there are educational benefits taking place that go
well beyond the classroom. Moreover, despite the old adage that dogs promote
allergies, studies show that young children who grow up around dogs are less
likely to suffer from allergies. A 2004 study in the Journal of Allergy
and Clinical Immunology
showed that children are less likely to suffer from
pet-related allergies by as much as 33 percent when they’re surrounded by pets
early in life.





Dogs give our lives structure





Dogs love routine and they’ll absolutely force you to adopt one. This
can be great for people who lack structure. Having an animal to look after, to
feed, to walk, ensures that even the most disaffected person stays busy. Yes,
studies also demonstrate that dogs can be an invaluable help against the
scourge of depression. The mere fact that a dog needs attention and constant
work is a powerful agent for boosting one’s mood, because staying busy is known
to ward off the blues.





Dogs look after us





Many dogs are specially trained to look after people with ailments like
arthritis, blindness, and chronical physical impairments. There’s no better
animal on earth for treating us when we’re in pain, ill at ease, or unable to
move. For this reason, dogs are a godsend for the elderly.  





All things considered, dogs make reliable companions that boost our mood and make us feel good after a long day. Sure, they might take a little bit of work, but as we’ve outlined in the article above, staying busy can often be the best thing of all!