Written by Beverly Wood
Dog. Spelled backward, it’s God. And I’ll tell you, our dog is certainly the “God” of our house. I imagine yours is too.
We’ve all heard the term “Emotional Support Dog,” but they are ALL emotional support dogs. Beyond just emotional support, there are many positive benefits to being a dog parent. It reduces loneliness, helps with physical health issues, mental health issues, and how you feel about yourself. They help you stay active and attractive.
According to 85% of dog-owning respondents in a survey by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, having a dog reduces loneliness and helps us feel connected. Numerous studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure and stress levels. And who can’t use lower stress levels today? Study participants at Washington State University had a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone, when petting a dog for just 10 minutes. Don’t reach for the Xanax, reach for a dog instead!
Dogs can help you recover from a crisis quicker—Purdue University found that military veterans with PTSD had far fewer issues and coped much better than those without dogs. If you are stressed, a dog is always ‘present’ for you, and that helps more than you can imagine. There’s almost no end to the comfort they give, but there are also many physical advantages to having a dog.
Dogs are good for your physical health! Not only will they keep you on your toes, but they keep you moving—from playing with them to feeding them to walking them. Dog owners, as a rule, get three times the daily exercise of non-dog owners. Walking for 30 minutes a day reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and Type 2 diabetes. And it helps your self-worth to care for another sentient being. Be it long walks or long cuddles, dogs are good for your heart!
With a dog, you not only meet more people, but you’re more attractive to the opposite sex. Years ago, I had a younger (male) friend who would come and borrow my English Bull Terrier, Caesar, and take him for a drive in his Corvette convertible. You would not believe how many women he met through that dog. Guys walking dogs are much more likely to get a woman’s phone number when she’s gushing over their dog.
And it works to break the ice, for every gender. It's just easier to interact and be sociable with strangers when they stop to pet your dog, or when you stop to pet theirs. It’s a built-in excuse to talk to that person on the street who just caught your fancy. Dogs make people more likable. They just do. Dogs and babies—there’s a reason all those magazines put them on their covers.
Here's something you likely haven’t considered: Some people are just shy about photographs. I personally don’t like having my photo taken; I’m nervous, self-conscious, and I freeze up. Well, in another study, individuals found that people look happier and more relaxed when they appear in photos with their dogs. So maybe that’s the trick—bring Fido to the photo session? Especially if the photo is for a dating app because both men and women apparently dig deeper into profiles of those with dogs in their photos.
And here are a couple more obscure facts: Our natural oxytocin levels rise when we look into a dog’s eyes. Unconditional love boosts our morale, both human and canine.
There are also benefits for children in a home with a dog—they can help socialize your child and teach them about responsibility, all while providing a constant, loving presence in their lives.
And for seniors, dogs can be a literal lifeline. Let’s face it, as people get older, their worlds shrink as their physical capabilities naturally decline. Aside from the benefits listed above, for seniors, a dog provides a live-in best friend. Always there to comfort, support, and lick away any tears.
If you work from home and have a dog, your work-related stress diminishes. And a dog can be a great stand-in for the companionship we once found in the office (since so many of us prefer to work from home).
Have you noticed how ‘in tune’ your dog is to your mood? When you’re depressed or worried, they provide a level of support that cannot be minimized in value. According to Dr. Henry Coren, a dog intelligence expert, they understand about 165 words and phrases—about as many as a human toddler. The smartest dogs can understand even more. And they’re excellent at learning our body language, which is why they can understand many more commands when trained using hand signals.
When dogs look into your eyes, they are trying to figure out your mood and what you are thinking. They have evolved over the centuries alongside us and are acutely aware of our sensitivities and emotions. They are a loving presence in your home.
Owning a dog keeps you on a schedule. While it is a responsibility (and one you need to take seriously), they give you a sense of purpose. And choosing a pet from a shelter, rather than a breeder, will add to your sense of fulfillment and purpose—because you have saved the life of a sentient being. As they say: “Adopt—Don’t Shop!”
It is important to understand that dog ownership is not free. It comes with not only responsibilities like exercise and feeding schedules but also financial obligations. You’ll have veterinary bills, food bills, training expenses, and you’ll need a leash, collar, crate, bed, and often a municipal license. It’s a time commitment on a daily and long-term basis—dogs live 10-15 years. But they are worth every dime, in this writer’s not-so-humble opinion.
You may think you are taking care of your dog. But in fact, they are taking care of you. Science confirms it. It’s really hard to put into words the joy that dogs create.
But trust me, it’s one of the most magical relationships you will ever have.
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Beverley Wood is a writer who lives on Vancouver Island with her husband (Chris) and mini-bull terrier (Pixie). Their best-selling YA novel, DogStar, is available on Amazon in Paperback, Kindle or Audible formats.