1. Dogs empathize with human pain
Goldsmiths College released a study that showed more dogs will
approach someone who’s crying or in distress than someone who is not. This demonstrates that dogs are empathetic and are eager to help comfort humans in pain.
2. Dogs can detect cancer
Due to
their incredible sense of smell, dogs have shown anywhere from 70 to 99%
accuracy (depending on the study) when tasked with detecting lung cancer in a
nearby patient.
3. Dogs reduce work stress
The International Journal of Workplace Health Management has
discovered that workers who bring their dog to their office have less stress
and are happier with their job, simply because the dog is hanging around.
4. Dogs detect seizures before they happen
Recent research has shown certain dogs are able to warn seizure
patients that they’re going to experience an attack, sometimes hours before it
happens. Nobody yet knows how they do it, or why only certain dogs can do it.
They also can’t be trained to do it, so if you feel you need a seizure-sniffing
dog, you need to make sure you have yourself a natural.
5. Dogs help babies stay healthy by being dirty
A recent study has shown that babies with dogs are actually healthier than those without
dogs, reporting fewer coughs, runny noses, and ear infections. The reason,
researchers believe, is because dogs will track in dirt, mud, and other
germ-infested bits of earth, thereby boosting the child’s immune system.
6. Dogs help you stay in shape
A study
from the University Of London has determined that kids with dogs are more
active, and exercise more often, than kids without dogs. After all, it’s a lot
more fun and interesting to go jogging with your dog than alone.
7. Dogs detect low blood sugar
That sense of smell can do even more; dogs can also detect low
blood sugar in their master. They will either alert the person that the sugar
has dropped or, if a diabetic attack has already occurred, will bark and bark
and bark in an attempt to alert somebody to come help, thus working to save the
diabetic’s life.
Food allergies are nothing to sneeze at; luckily, dogs have been
shown they can be trained to detect certain allergens. So if you’re allergic to
peanut butter, the dog will alert you if it detects anything with the scent of
peanut in the room. Same with any other thing that may harm you or a loved one.
9. Dogs help you be more social
The British Medical Journal has concluded that dogs act as “social catalysts,” who
help people get out more, approach others more easily, and overall reduce
isolation. This is actually more important than the basic companionship that
dogs provide, as human social support is more beneficial to human health.
Simply by being themselves, dogs have been shown to help reduce
PTSD among soldiers. In addition to providing the usual doggie companionship,
they have been shown to help sufferers come out of their shells, be less numb
and angry, and improve their social life as well.
11. Dogs help prevent eczema in kids
In a surprising twist, it might actually be beneficial to get a
dog for your baby, even if they’re allergic. Studies have shown that children
under the age of one who live with a dog are much less likely to develop the
chronic, and annoying, skin condition called eczema.
12. Dogs heal wounds simply by kissing you
A dog
kissing you obviously feels wonderful, but it might actually have physical
benefits too. Studies have shown that saliva, both the human and doggie
variety, can help stimulate nerves and muscles, and get oxygen moving again,
which is the secret ingredient in helping wounds to heal. In short, “licking
your wounds” is not just a cliche after all.
13. Dogs make their elderly owners go to the doctor less
Almost certainly due to the positive vibes and good feelings that
dogs bring out of their masters, even in the worst of times, studies have found
that older people who own dogs average at least one less doctor appointment per
year than those who do not.
14. Dogs reduce your risk of heart problems
Preliminary studies by the American Heart Association are
revealing that dog owners have less risk of heart disease than those without
dogs. The reasons given are the exercise that owners get when walking their
dogs, plus the presence of the dog helps the owner deal with stress better. The
evidence is mostly anecdotal right now, but dog owners know that it’s all true.
15. Dogs aid with depression
Day-to-day depression, or even more serious chronic depression, is
easier to handle with the love of a dog, studies show. Simply by having them
around, and knowing that even at our worst, somebody loves us unconditionally
and is eager to see us happy again, we’re given a reason to get up and keep
going.
16. Dogs help college kids get through finals week
Finals Week sucks; just ask any stressed-out college student, or
anyone who’s ever been one. Many schools, thankfully, have found a way to help:
dogs. Programs that provide therapy dogs to campuses for overworked students to
pet, play with, or just plain cuddle with, have proven successful in calming
down students and (hopefully) improving their test scores.
17. Dogs comfort children with autism
Autistic children often find the world very stressful, in ways
that the non-autistic can’t understand. Luckily, a dog can. Studies are showing
that bringing a therapy dog into an autistic household helps to reduce the
amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the autistic child’s body. This both
calms the child down and shows him that he has a friend.
18. Dogs help prevent bullying
Bullying has been a huge problem for a long time, and people are
finally doing something about it. Dogs, too. Experimental programs have been
launched that bring dogs into schools to promote empathy, with the lesson that
you shouldn’t treat people badly, because you wouldn’t do it to a dog. Thus
far, kids have been able to make the connection, which will hopefully continue
to be the case.
19. Dogs help people with Fibromyalgia stay warm
Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disease that can leave its victim
in constant pain. Studies have shown that the Xolo dog’s body temperature can
be used as a kind of therapeutic heating pad, due to it being a hairless
species. Of course, unlike heating pads, a Xolo will bond with you, snuggle
with you and keep you warm as long as you need, leading to both external comfort
and internal happiness.
20. Dogs help people with dementia live a better life
Dogs have
shown that they can help keep dementia sufferers on schedule, reminding them
when its time for medicine and when to see the doctor. In addition, when the
owner experiences frustration over the state of their mind, the “dementia dog”
is right there to support them, comfort them, and remind them that someone’s
always there for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment