It’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” No, it’s not December, it’s
National Puppy Day (March 23rd)! All pets, especially
puppies, can bring joy and stress relief to families in a particularly
tense time. During this furry special holiday, let’s take a “paws” from
politics and focus on our four-legged friends.
Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA and
Training and Behavioral Expert at Camp Bow Wow (North America’s largest and most trusted pet care franchise), has offered her insights and
tips on the benefits of having a pup and how our furry family members can truly reduce the stress we experience every day.
How Pets Help Reduce Stress
Some
studies show that people begin to feel less anxious after spending less
than an hour with an animal. There are endless benefits from lowering
your stress level and while the things that we
find stressful in our lives are often hard to eliminate, adding an
animal to your life can help.
·
General Benefits:
There’s a reason that they say dog is man’s best friend. Having a pet,
not limited to dogs, is something that everyone should experience
at some point in their life. Pets can be calming, mood lifting,
empathetic, and so much more. They teach you how to be selfless and
responsible as you are caring over another life (for those of you
without children). Generally speaking, they make you happy.
·
Helps with Depression:
In some cases, therapists suggest that patients suffering from
depression that they adopt a pet. An animal will love you
unconditionally and also be a great friend and listener. People with
depression
often benefit from having a pet, as the animal can help them get out of
the house.
·
Health Benefits:
There are other health benefits associated
with pet ownership (particularly dogs). Many studies show that owning a
pet has a positive impact on cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
infection control, allergies, stress related
problems, blood pressure, and psychological issues.
·
Engaged Mind: A key to a healthy mind,
especially for those who are elderly, is staying engaged with others. A
pet is often a conversation starter and being out with a pet often
warrants questions or comments from passersby.
Bringing your dog to a dog park is a great way to meet new people with
similar interests.
·
Build Your Children’s Confidence: Having a
dog in the home can build confidence and manage anxiety and stress in
children. Children who struggle with reading or math can gain confidence
when reading aloud or reciting multiplication
tables to their dog.
·
Excuse to Play: Training and playing with
your dog also provides mental stimulation, helps unleash creativity and
alleviates stress. Having a dog will also encourage you to exercise as
you’ll need to walk Fido regularly.
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