Can Owning a Dog Improve Your Health?

Posted on February 6, 2008
Filed Under General |

Can a dog improve your health? For current owners, the answer to this one is an overwhelming YES!

When we think of quality of life, health benefits, and improving personal relationships, we may think of New Year’s resolutions before we think of our dogs. But that’s exactly the kind of positive impact a dog can have on your life.

Thanks to our mutts, we all know we’re better people everyday for having those simple opportunities we do to share our lives with our precious pooches. From inspiring us to get out and take a walk, to snoozing next to us on the couch; our dogs play such a vital role in our happiness, it’s obvious to see how they would positively impact our overall health. Maybe its dark outside already, just got home from work, kinda chilly outside…not really feeling that thrice weekly 2 mile jaunt this evening. Yeah, try pulling that excuse with Fido. You won’t even get a word out - leash in mouth, tail whipping you in the leg as he is on the way to the door. Go ahead and try to resist, you’re exercising today whether you like it or not. Maybe you’ll cut it off with a brisk walk around the block, but you still made it out there. Benefit; the dog got your lazy, unmotivated butt off the couch and out the door. Responsibility and motivation all in one drooling, hairy, happy go lucky package. Score one for Household Pooch M.D.

Apart from the everyday benefits realized by those of us fortunate enough to already be in good health, recently publicized studies show significant proof supporting the help of dogs, and animals as a whole, in administering therapy to cancer and cardiac patients, autistic children, and even people struggling with depression. Dogs just have that natural - or preternatural - therapeutic sense. They know when something is wrong, all dog owners out there know what we’re talking about. Call it a sixth sense, call it a good nose.

Aside from the grinning, tail wagging, lick you in the face excitement that is there to meet you every single day, dogs really can have a significant impact on our outlook in life, and even overall health. Are dog owners happier and healthier than your average person? Would someone be more inclined to exercise if they had a dog? Who knows, let’s open the debate. As we can see from the articles mentioned[i], the overwhelmingly undeniable benefits realized in the medical community are well documented. Muttspace will look to address these and other key issues affecting our canine community.

The mutts shall inherit the Earth!

It’s just a matter of time…

[i] The Pet Care Trust - UCLA MEDICAL CENTER DOCUMENTS CANINE THERAPY FOR CARDIAC PATIENTShttp://www.petcaretrust.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3321

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