1. Dogs offer a soothing presence
Patting a dog can help to lower blood pressure.
Pet owners have significantly lower blood pressure and heart rate both before
and while performing stressful mental tasks. People recovering from heart
attacks recover more quickly and survive longer when there is a pet at home. It
seems as though their mere presence is beneficial.

2. Dogs offer unconditional love and acceptance
In a Johns Hopkins Depression & Anxiety Bulletin,
Karen Swartz, M.D. quotes a recent study where nursing home residents in St.
Louis felt less lonely with some quiet time with a dog alone than a visit with
both a dog and other residents. People often prefer four-legged friends to two-legged
ones because we can divulge our innermost thoughts and not be judged or quoted…

3. Dogs alter our behavior
When agitated dogs can help people alter their
behavior. We calm down when we are with our dogs. We slow our breath, our
speech and our minds. We don’t hit as much at others or remain annoyed at
ourselves.

4. Dogs distract
Pets are like great movies or books. They take
us out of our heads and into another reality, one that involves food, water and
affection; being less in your own head and thoughts.

5. Dogs promote touch
The healing power of touch is undisputed.
Research indicates a 45-minute massage can decrease levels of the stress
hormone cortisol and optimize your immune system by building white blood cells.
Hugging floods our bodies with oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress, and
lowers blood pressure and heart rates. And, according to a University of
Virginia study, holding hands can reduce the stress-related activity in the
hypothalamus region of the brain, part of our emotional center. The touch can
actually stop certain regions of the brain from responding to threat clues.
It’s not surprising, then, that stroking a dog can lower blood pressure and
heart rate and boost levels of serotonin and dopamine.

6. Dogs make us responsible
With pets come great responsibility, and
responsibility and promotes mental health. Positive psychologists assert that we build our self-esteem by taking ownership of a
task, by applying our skills to a job. When we succeed, for example, looking after
your dog’s needs, we reinforce to ourselves that we are capable of caring for
another creature, as well as ourselves. That’s why chores are so important in
teaching adolescent’s self-mastery and independence.

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