Did you know that owning a dog is thought to improve your health and quality of life? Not only can they give you unconditional love, they can also help to improve your immunity, lower your blood pressure and reduce anxiety. All of this helps to minimise your chances of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
Here are just some of the other reasons why owning a dog can help keep the doctor away:
Keeps you fit and sociable
If you are retired, live on your own, or if you’re not great at motivating yourself to get out and do some exercise, owning a dog can prove to be a really good solution. They have to be walked each day which is good for your heart and general fitness, and they can often be a great way of meeting new people, which can help prevent loneliness.
Improves your mood, and lowers anxiety
There’s nothing better than walking through the door and being greeted as though you are royalty. The unconditional love a dog can give is proven to keep people happy, and just being around them can help lower anxiety.
Strengthens your immune system
Studies have shown that children growing up with pets – in particular a dog or a cat – have stronger immune systems. This is also true for adults.
Helps the elderly or disabled
Dogs can be trained to assist with a range of practical tasks such as:
- Alerting you to a ringing phone, or if someone is at the front door
- Opening and closing doors and cupboards
- Retrieving a variety of items
- Pressing buttons and switches
- Raising the alarm in an emergency
If owning a dog sounds like a great idea, but you’re worried that it could be too much of an undertaking, either for you or an elderly relative, there are organisations that provide temporary access to pets. Once such charity is Pets as Therapy. They have around 4,500 active visiting dogs and 108 cats at work in the UK. Every week their calm friendly dogs and cats give more than 130,000 people, both young and old, the pleasure and chance to cuddle and talk to them.
Michael Ward, Managing Director at PayingTooMuch.com said “Owning a pet brings lots of advantages for families and older people alike. But before you take the plunge, do consider the costs involved. Not only should you consider the cost of food, and comfort items, you also need to think about getting your pet insured, especially a dog, as veterinary bills can be steep.”
