Pet Owners: Mutual Benefits

They say that being healthy is a choice. Actually, it really is. And what better way to be healthy than doing it whole-heartedly. Aside from the usual diet and exercise, having a stress-free life by choosing to be happy can be added to the list and that includes having pets. Both you and your pet are beneficial to each other in more ways than one can count.

When encountering a very bad day and one may need some boosting on the side, playing with your dog can actually make a person’s mood changes from stressed to being joyful. Nothing beats the appreciation of one’s pet to their owner. And as health comes in, it also beneficial that aside from the exercise, one may still have to keep an eye on their weight and workout. Managing one’s blood pressure can be done by having a pet. In one study it showed that their numbers improved when kids with high blood pressure were petting their dog. Another study found that one year after a heart attack, dog owners had a better rate of survival. Overall, it is less likely that pet owners will die from any heart disease, including heart failure. Probably due to the active lifestyle that one has if they have dogs that keep them busy.

Staying involved with others is one of the keys to a balanced mind. And owners of pets seem to want to converse with other owners of pets. A dog is a dialogue that is only waiting to unfold. People can stop to speak to you, particularly those with pets, when they see you walking with your pet. Go to a dog park when the dogs are playing to socialize with other people.

Dogs: Service and Emotional Support Animals

Dogs are not just cute pets, exercise buddies or playful pals. They are also life-savers. Training dogs to be service animals especially to people with disabilities have been widely accepted and promoted worldwide. Although some countries are gearing towards selecting other animals to train, dogs are highly considered when selecting service animals. They help guide the person who is blind to become seeing-eye dogs. The person who is deaf or mute as hearing dogs. Persons with medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and even epilepsy. They are highly trained to perform service or functions specific to their handler.  It is also one of the reasons that even airlines allow them onboard the cabin to provide ample assistance to their handlers.

Aside from providing service, dogs are also highly valuable emotional support. Dogs are used for therapies and taking care of them by stroking or touching them are very helpful in keeping emotions at bay. They may not be as alert as a service animal but having them close by definitely aids in person with psychological concerns to be safe and secured. A puppy is used in rehabilitation by some behavioral health practitioners. In the workplace, a dog will assist anyone to feel more relaxed. And a comment to or regarding a dog could reveal what is really in the mind of someone. Especially their children, were influenced by their battle.