It’s becoming more widely known how much having a dog can improve so many aspects and qualities of life. While many of us may already be aware of that fact, do we know how our little fur babies accomplish these tasks? In light of Dog Appreciation Day this Friday, I thought it suitable to take a real dive into how many ways our dogs improve our mental health and well-being so that we can really appreciate them and the value they add to our lives.
According to several studies, dogs reduce our stress, decrease anxiety and depression, ease our loneliness, and encourage physical activity and exercise. Dog owners have been shown to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease which researchers believe is relative to taking them on routine walks and playing with them. Playing with your dog can also elevate oxytocin (a hormone associated with empathy, trust, and relationship-building) and dopamine (a neurotransmitter that, when released, causes us to feel motivation, reward, and happiness). I can’t count how many times I’ve come home from a rough day at work or from interacting with the general public (need I explain more…), and as soon as I bend down to pet my two Boston terriers as they greet me with their wiggling posteriors, that feeling of happiness and reward from receiving their love causes the woes of the day to vanish, at least in that instance.
Women, in particular, can experience an even more rewarding bond with their dogs than men. When mothers and their children gaze at each other, their brains secrete oxytocin which, as previously mentioned, is the hormone associated with trusting relationships, which enhances the maternal bonding process. Studies have shown that when women and their dogs gaze at each other, the same hormone causes a similar effect. This may, in part, explain why many developed countries have a decline in reproduction as some maternal needs are met by owning a dog. A survey from Melbourne, Australia, revealed that 1 in 3 respondents reported that having a dog significantly reduced their desire to have children.
Speaking of children, a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey of 643 children with a little more than 50% reporting they had a dog in their home. These children were measured for BMI (body mass index), anxiety levels, screen time, and physical activity. The results showed that while there was no significant measurable difference in BMI, screen time, or physical activity between kids with a dog vs. those without, children without a dog in their home were 10% more likely to have symptoms of anxiety.
Those with mental illness may be amongst the most benefited by their furry friends. A 2016 study at the University of Manchester in the U.K., demonstrated that 60% of participants with severe mental illness reported that they attributed successful recovery and stabilization after a period of regression to their pets. They identified this occurred because their pets helped them manage their illness and daily activities, provided a strong sense of identity, self-worth, meaning, and control, and gave them a sense of security and routine.
For those of you who already know the joys of having a dog, I need not say more, but for those who may need more reasons to adopt a loving dog and welcome all of these benefits into their life – I’ve got some. In addition to the physical and mental benefits outlined, owning a dog has also been shown to give us a sense of purpose, feel needed, increase our self-esteem and well-being, build healthy habits, build relationship skills, and increase our social connections. There are many animal shelters in Clark County stocked full of dogs looking for their forever home. Among them are Nevada SPCA, Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, The Animal Foundation, and A Path 4 Paws Dog Rescue.
With all of the research done on the benefits of having a dog in your life, there’s no disputing it can be a life-changing and highly rewarding choice for many. In honor of dog appreciation day, give your four-legged babies some love or, if you’re currently dog-less, see about taking the next step toward living your best life with your own tail-wagging, unconditional love machine and watch the benefits reap every day.