The Many Ways Dogs Keep Us Healthy !

Aside from putting smiles on our faces, it turns out pets have the ability to make us healthier. We put together a list of how our pets, particularly dogs, can make us happy, healthy, fit, smiley people—and it’s backed by science, of course!

They keep us active!
If you own a dog, chances are high that you regularly walk him, and those short daily walks add up! One study found that dog owners were 34 percent more likely to achieve their recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week than non-dog owners. Walking has been proven time and again to be an effective way to stay in shape and really – what’s better than a stroll with your best friend?
They ease the feeling of isolation.
Science confirms that pets help our sense of belonging. One study found that pet owners reported having higher self-esteem, felt more conscientious, and even bounced back from social rejection better. Another study revealed that women and single adults found the most benefit of mental well-being from owning a dog. Man’s best friend indeed!
They can detect serious health issues.
In addition to sniffing out cancer, dogs can also be trained to identify when their human counterparts experience a seizure. Or for people who struggle with severe allergies to peanuts, a dog’s extraordinary sense of smell can be used to catch that nut before their owner has a potential reaction. We posted about heroic pups in our last blog, take a peek!
They reduce stress!
Yes, it’s a no-brainer that our pets can make us happier, but it’s easy to find plenty of research that shows how interacting with dogs can help reduce stress. Even something as simple as playing fetch or petting your pup can increase levels of the ‘happiness hormone’ oxytocin in your brain, and lower production of cortisol, a stress-inducing hormone.
They can be certified therapists!
Many people can benefit from pet therapy, including patients undergoing chemotherapy, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical therapy patients working on their fine motor skills. At some Universities in the US, students can take advantage of pet therapy that alleviates feelings of homesickness and depression. Dogs are on call during midterms and finals when those feelings are at an all-time high. We’ll gladly take a prescription for puppy snuggles!