In this blog, I am going to talk about the reasons why you should buy a dog. I have realized that having a dog, overall, has made me a much happier person. “In fact, according to a Dog Parent Study conducted by BarkBox, 71 percent of dog parents believe that their dogs have made them happier people. Almost 80 percent find it easier to awake in the morning because their dogs greet them. And a whopping 93 percent of participants stated that they are better people overall because of their dogs.Dogs have served as man’s best friend and worked alongside us for thousands and thousands of years. The loyal companionship and unconditional love of dogs has been written about throughout human history. Our canine buddies are always there for us, in good times and in bad. They are our friends when we are lonely and a reason to laugh when we are down. They are faithful, judgment-free sounding boards who we can play with, snuggle with, and – most importantly – be ourselves with.Physical exercise causes the human body to release endorphins – chemicals that make us feel happy. Research has also found a possible link between a lack of vitamin D – obtained through sun exposure – and depression.
By walking our dogs or just spending time with them outside on a sunny day we are likely to become more content.
More than four in five of the Dog Parent Study participants indicated that having a dog has made them more active. 72 percent said that their exercise habits are influenced by their dog.”(https://www.petsforpatriots.org/dogs-make-us-happy/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20according%20to%20a,because%20their%20dogs%20greet%20them).
The day we got our dog was the day my first boyfriend broke up with me. I obviously just wanted to stay and pout in my bed, but my parents made me go with them. It was the best decision ever. My dog is now my bestfriend and can always cheer me up whenever I need it.
“We know that unconditional love and increased physical activity can make people feel better. But what if we could prove scientifically that dogs make us happier?
As it turns out, we can.
Studies have shown that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, a hormone often referred to as the “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin increases feelings of relaxation, trust, and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety.
That warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you cuddle with your pooch? Oxytocin!
Research published in the journal Science in 2015 reported that simply gazing into each other’s eyes causes a tremendous spike in oxytocin levels in both dogs and dog guardians.
“Of the duos that had spent the greatest amount of time looking into each other’s eyes, both male and female dogs experienced a 130 percent rise in oxytocin levels, and both male and female owners a 300 percent increase.”(https://www.petsforpatriots.org/dogs-make-us-happy/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20according%20to%20a,because%20their%20dogs%20greet%20them.).
Dogs also help you to be more active and get outside. Dogs obviously have to go outside and need to be walked. “When you walk your dog, and play with your dog, you’re moving as opposed to being sedentary. The American Heart Association documented that dog owners get significantly more exercise than those who don’t own a dog. Interacting with your dog can boost your production of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine – the happy hormones. Their presence in your body leads you to feel happier and less stressed. They found that having a dog can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, ease depression, and improve fitness. People who own dogs are less likely to develop heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, 85% of pet owners say their pet makes them feel less lonely. Dogs can help us feel less social anxiety, and cause us to interact more with other humans. We at Putnam Service Dogs have found that after we place a service dog with a person, that person goes out into the world more, and interacts with more people, in a more positive way. People tend to look away, and shun a person with physical disabilities. If that person has a service dog with them, people smile at them, speak to them, sometimes stop to talk to them. Their service dog is the ice breaker in the interaction. People now want to talk to them about their service dog, and interact with, and pet their service dog! (Which is fine, when the dog isn’t working to assist that person.) In addition to their service dog assisting them by performing tasks they can’t do for themselves, having a service dog also reduces their feelings of loneliness and isolation.”(https://www.putnamservicedogs.org/do-dogs-pets-really-benefit-people/?gclid=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHiQsrvsUKPWF91MNC8dT9Sfvc5NXHgCHEJ75OJ1jxqJ3KZ96jeFtSahoCoWIQAvD_BwE).