Once you have a pet dog, it can be difficult to envision a life without one. For many busy, depressed, or stressed individuals, one of the best parts of the day, is snuggling with their dog after being out all day, or enjoying a long, peaceful walk in the park. Dogs bring much more than perceptible joy; they bestow their ‘owners’ with many benefits which recent science has backed through extensive research.
 

Being with Your Dog In the Here and Now
 

Health buffs know that mindfulness (truly ‘being’ in the present moment) has powerful benefits, which include a significant reduction in stress levels. Mindfulness enables us to evade the worry and anxiety that arise when we obsess about the past or future - and research shows that it can be enhanced through the companion of dogs, as noted in the special report, Get Healthy, Get a Dog, by scientists at Harvard University. The next time you feel the weight of stress, take a long walk to a verdant setting with your pooch. Open your senses to the beauty, sounds, textures and fragrances around you and feel the stress dissipating.

Dogs Improve Lives for Seniors
 

A University of Missouri Health study found that among adults aged 60 or above, senior individuals benefit from the bonds they form with their canine companions, largely because dogs help reduce the feeling of isolation and encourage more activity in the Great Outdoors. The stronger the human-dog relationships, noted researchers, the more time seniors spent walking their pooch. Findings led the researchers to recommend dog ownership for seniors as a way to boost activity in seniors and reduce health expenditure.

Dogs Improve Mood
 

Dog interaction activities are currently being used to help teenagers undergoing drug and alcohol treatment, because of their ability to boost mood. Teens enjoy the unconditional love and joviality that dogs bring, and show an increase in positivity, attentiveness, and serenity.

Dogs Help Us Sleep Better
 

There are many mental conditions whose symptoms are worsened by poor sleep, including anxiety, depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies have shown that sleeping with a dog in our room (but not in the bed) can improve our sleep quality. Many dog owners love snuggling up with their dogs, but research shows that issues such as dog snoring and our pooch’s penchant for changing sleeping positions (in the blanket, out of the blanket – sound familiar?), can interfere with our zzz time. To solve the dilemma, place your dog’s bed right by your own so both of you can enjoy companionship and optimal sleep quality.

Dogs Provide Valuable Support for Stress
 

One study published in the journal Social Development (May, 2017), showed that for children, having a dog nearby when they are undergoing a difficult period in their lives, can lower stress levels. These findings were made by measuring cortisol (stress hormone) levels in saliva before and after interaction wtih pets. Another study found that college students benefit from having both cats and dogs for the same reason: the reduction of loneliness and stress.

Dogs Increase Social Interaction and Decrease Isolation
 

It is almost impossible not to meet and interact with people when we have a dog. When we walk our dog in familiar places, go to the pet shop or take part in online forums to discover more about our dog’s needs and activities for pets in our area, we inadvertently meet people with like-minded interests, and friendships are made.

If you already have a dog, then you probably don’t need any studies to confirm what you already discovered yourself the day you took your dog home. However, as pet owners, it is fascinating to see how much research and effort is placed in discovering the mysteries behind the human-canine bond: one that we know will last for many centuries to come.