Along with being adorable to look at, our furry friends benefit our lives in so many ways. From improving our health to helping vulnerable people, and even protecting us against crime. Here are just a few of the reasons why dogs are so amazing.
They Can Reduce Stress and Blood Pressure
Spending time with a dog can help to lower your blood pressure, cut down on levels of stress hormones and even release a relaxation hormone. Not only will this make you feel better when you face stressful situations in life, but it’s also good for your health too! One study found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted a dog, their blood pressure reduced significantly within a matter of months. ‘Puppy rooms’ are now being implemented in many universities to help students feel less stressed before exams. They have so much of a powerful effect, it’s even been shown that heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those without.
They Can Improve Mental Health
Dogs have evolved to be tuned into human behavior and emotions. While they can understand lots of the words we use, they are even better at interpreting other cues such as our tone of voice, gestures and body language. It’s the reason that when you’re feeling down or upset, your loyal dog will be at your side comforting you. This may be part of the reason as to why people are less likely to suffer from depression when they own a dog. Playing with a dog can boost the levels of the brain’s ‘happy chemicals’ serotonin and dopamine, which help you to feel calm and relaxed.
They Can Improve Your Fitness Levels
Having a dog means plenty of walkies. Not only is this good for your pooch but it’s also good for you too. Walking is an excellent way to burn calories, tone up and also get fresh air. Having a dog means you’ll explore lots of new places which you probably would never have found any other way. Parks, rivers, canals, fields, woods. What better way to get out there and enjoy nature and improve your fitness than with your furry friend in tow.
They Can Help People With Disabilities
Service dogs can literally transform the lives of people with disabilities. As well as serving as a loyal companion, they can allow people to perform daily tasks and get back out there into the world. However, to be able to qualify as a service dog and be granted public access, it must be sufficiently trained. If your dog is currently an ‘emotional support’ animal for a disability, with the help of a service dog trainer you are able to improve their training to be allowed out with you everywhere in public. This can be useful if your disability has worsened, and you have found yourself needing more support.
They Can Help Fight Crime
Due to dogs excellent sense of smell, they make an asset to organizations such as the police and airports. They can be trained to sniff out all manner of things from large amounts of cash to drugs- and allow criminals to be caught and justice to be served.
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