A recent article by Psychology Today, states that your dog may improve your heart health and reduce stress. The article summaries by saying that studies show that having a pet can actually reduce the chance of heart illness and blood pressure related illness.
Personally speaking, I completely understand the effect a family pet can have on the attitude or “mood” of a family. For me, even on the worst day, when our boxer dogs are so energetic and happy to see me when I come home it’s hard not to smile. The stress of the day seems to go away when my focus changes to petting and greeting them. Using pets as therapy is not uncommon.
In addition, The article also states that …
changes in blood chemistry demonstrating a lower amount of stress-related hormones such as cortisol. These effects seem to be automatic, they do not require any conscious efforts or training on the part of the stressed individual. Perhaps most amazingly, these positive psychological effects are achieved faster-after only five to 24 minutes of interacting with a dog-than the result from taking most stress-relieving drugs. Compare this to some of the Prozac-type drugs used to deal with stress and depression, which alter the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body and can take weeks to show any positive effects. Furthermore, the benefits that build up over this long course of medication can be lost with only few missed doses of the drug. Petting a dog has a virtually immediate effect and can be done at any time.
So bottom line, PET YOUR DOG! Don’t we wish our “HUMAN” friends and family greeted us so warmly! Since dogs are so loving and attentive it’s no wonder how they can light up a family even in the most craziest of days or times and NOW improve your health.
*A special “Thanks” to Daily Boxer for allowing us to repost this article and Mike Lofenfeld for his beautiful photography of his boxer, Lettie Bee*
