The Benefits of a Four-Legged Friend
What’s the best way for a guy to land a date? Take a cute puppy to the park! Making love connections is just one of the many benefits of owning a pet. According to this article from WebMD.com, research for 25 years had confirmed the health benefits of having a pet in the home – pets help lower blood pressure, lessen anxiety and boost our immunity.
Think about the last time you came home from a rough day at work only to be greeted with a sloppy kiss or a comforting “purrrr.” Pets can be a calming force in our lives.
The same article points to study showing babies who have a dog in the home are 33% less likely to have pet allergies and they were less likely to have eczema.
Dogs are comforting to the older population, especially those in nursing homes or hospitals. (Check out Southeastern Therapy Animal Resources for how you and your pooch can help in therapeutic settings.)
Here’s yet one more article that sings the praises of having a pet, such as dog owners get more exercise and are less stressed. Don’t discount the benefits to your two-legged kids as well. One researcher says, “When children are asked who they talk to when they get upset, a lot of times their first answer is their pet.”