Do Dogs Improve Health? Harvard Says Yes!
by Michelle Kicherer of www.BananaPitch.com
Do dogs improve health? Recently I wrote about how much of an impact animals can have on our lives. They give comfort, they provide companionship and they lower stress. We all know how much of an effect stress can have on our health, and how much of a positive emotional and physical impact this type of companionship can create.
According to a new study by Harvard Medical School, having a four-legged friend around can actually improve your heart health. So if you’re wondering, do dogs improve health? The answer is yes!
There are a couple of ways in which this happens. One is a more practical way: people who own dogs are often more likely to get exercise, which is a great reducer of cardiovascular disease. On another level, dogs reduce stress by providing physical touch (which increases oxytocin, the happy “touch” hormone) and by giving companionship.
Reducing one’s stress is linked to reducing one’s blood pressure. When people are generally more calm, they tend to have lower blood pressure, and their hearts and cardiovascular systems are less strained by the sudden surges and expansions of arterial walls that people with high blood pressure experience.
Check out this new study by Harvard, and a great new book they have out called Get Healthy, Get a Dog. As a dog lover, I fully support this idea-but of course consider all the pro’s and con’s of getting a dog, and research what breed might be right for you. When considering a pet for the older adults in your life, consider if the home they live in is an appropriate place for a dog and if they are able to care for a dog-and if not, consider bringing a dog to visit frequently!
