Your dog, your health

Your dog looks forward to pleasing you.
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If you made the decision to adopt a dog into your family then you know how much enrichment they can add to your life. Dogs easily become part of the family and are typically very willing and happy to do so. Providing a stable environment for them is essential to their health and well-being. A good balance of daily exercise, discipline, and affection (thank you, Cesar Millan) is important for the physical and mental health of your dog since those elements build an important structure. Your dog is happy to be a member of your pack and rewards you with not only companionship, unmatched loyalty, and devotion but also improved health. That’s right—dogs can make you healthier as well as happier.

Allergies
Studies show that infants and children who live with a dog (and other pets) in the same household have increased levels of certain chemicals in their immune system, which ward off infectious agents. Infants show less allergic reactions to pets and children have a lower risk of allergies and asthma. Children raised with pets in the home have stronger immune systems. [1]

Diseases
Alzheimer’s disease
According to published reports, patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease that own pets experience a decrease in symptoms. More specifically, their emotional outbursts are minimized. So a dog in their home can influence a calm and less stressful state of being. [1][2][3]

Diabetes
Reports on studies that focused on diabetics, who are also dog owners, state that the dogs warned the owners of an oncoming hypoglycemic attack. In one study, 65% of a pool of 212 diabetics (Type I) said their dog exhibited a behavioral reaction to at least one of their hypoglycemic episodes and related events. The dogs responded by barking, whining, licking, nuzzling, jumping on the person, staring intently in their face, or trembling in fear at the time of the episode. Metabolic changes induced by low blood sugar occur before a seizure. The changes result in a condition called ketosis, which produces a distinct breath odor that smells like acetone. It may be that the dog’s reaction is to this odor since the dog realizes that when this smell occurs, chaos follows. [4][6]

AIDS
A study that focused on men with AIDS reported that those who did not own a pet were 3x more likely to suffer from symptoms of depression that those men who did not have AIDS. However, men with AIDS that did own a pet were only 50% more likely to experience symptoms of depression in comparison with those men who did not have AIDS. So, men with AIDS who own pets are more likely to experience positive mood-enhancing effects. [2]

Cancer
Studies have shown that dogs can detect lung cancer (on the breath), breast cancer and bladder cancer. The Cancer and Bio-Detection Dogs is an organization that investigated the feasibility of a dog’s ability to sniff out cancer. It was determined through various tests that Bio-Detection dogs can sniff out different types of cancer with a high degree of accuracy. This information may help with researching new ways to diagnose the disease. [4][5][7]

Seizures
Studies have shown that seizure-sensing dogs can detect episodes before they happen. This helps in retrieving medications or getting to safety before the event takes place. More commonly, service dogs function in this capacity and they can send out an alert of impending danger so people can exercise safety precautions. [6]

Service dogs are eager to do their job and are highly effective at it!
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Stress
Studies have shown that stockbrokers with high blood pressure who own a pet have lower blood pressure and heart rate readings in stressful situations than people who do not have pets. Also, when we are stressed, cortisol and norepinephrine are released, which can compromise the immune system. People who own pets have a healthier immune system in that they ward off stress-related events in the body and they also experience a lower incidence of common illnesses, such as the flu, in comparison with those who do not own pets. [1][2]

A calm and relaxed state is a happy state of being for both you and your dog!
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Your Heart
Many pet owners show less signs of heart disease with lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Also, it is interesting to note that the chemicals released under stress, cortisol and norepinephrine, can influence plaque formation in arteries, which could lead to heart disease. Studies report that when a patient who is suffering from heart failure receives a visit from a dog, there is improvement in the patient’s heart and lung function. [1][2][3]

Loneliness
Loneliness can lead to social isolation and stress. Hugging your dog can increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, which are mood enhancing neurotransmitters, leading to pleasurable and calming effects. Reports state that some nursing home patients felt less lonely when they visited with a pet rather than with other people. Lack of socialization and social support can lead to a stressful situation for a person but having a dog can reduce or even eliminate that stress. [1][2]

No more loneliness.
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The Aged and Insurance Premiums
Insurance companies incorporate questions into their medical screening for elderly clients about owning a pet. If the client owns a pet, they are rewarded with lower premiums. There is extensive evidence to support claims about owning a pet and how it results in a lower risk of many age-related illnesses. [1][3]

Keeping Fit
A good dose of exercise on a daily basis will keep you and poochie fit. Today, many diseases are linked to a lack of exercise and nutritional factors. A daily walk with your dog lowers the risk factors associated with many of those diseases and improves your (and your dog’s) overall health and well-being. [3]

The first dog exercises with the first family.
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Are there benefits for the dog?
Studies have shown that when a dog is provided with a healthy balance of diet, exercise, and a low-stress environment it results in benefits for them, too. Emitting positive energy and remaining calm yet assertive in all situations, especially challenging ones, keeps your dog well-balanced. Not only does your blood pressure remain at normal levels but it affects your dog in much the same way, too. You play an important and essential role in affecting and maintaining good mental and physical health for your dog. [8]

Spirits soaring high!
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National Dog Day- August 26, 2009
Celebrate your dog! Your dog celebrates you every day and is more than happy to do so especially if it pleases you! Check out animal behaviorists like Cesar Millan and Victoria Stilwell to help you understand and meet your dog’s needs. Each offers informative ideas and techniques to help you and your dog build a strong and healthy relationship. [9][10][11]

Improving your health should not be the only motivation to invite a dog into your family. It is important to consider the financial responsibilities that are involved in caring for a dog, too, and be certain he or she is the right energy level for you before adopting them into your family. Dogs demands so little of us yet they reward us so greatly with companionship, unsurpassed acceptance, loyalty, and improved health. We can show our gratitude and respect by providing a well-balanced exercise, discipline, and affection routine in their daily life. This will lead to years of joy, happiness, and good health for both you and your dog!