Mike had a hard time maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But all that changed when he adopted his dog Max, an energetic Labrador Retriever.
Mike quickly realized he needed to get Max out of the house daily to satisfy him. It soon became a daily routine to walk in the park. As Mike got more active, his mental health improved. Max also helped Mike make new friends on his walks to strengthen his social life. Max became my friend’s personal trainer and therapist.
There are days when nothing is more pleasant than walking with your dog through streets, parks, and forests. However, there are also days when it is raining, cold, or too hot. Days when one would rather stay home if it weren’t for a four-legged being with brown eyes who says, “I want to go out; I’m bored!”
Studies say having a pet is a lucky break for us humans. Pets, especially dogs, reduce risk factors like obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, stress reactions, and cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association (AHA) published a study on the effects of pet ownership on cardiovascular health. Researchers conclude that emotional attachment to the animal is essential for people’s health, since they exercise more.
According to another study, dogs reduce the risk of allergies in children. Therefore, parents should not fear children coming into contact with animals because children who grow up with pets have a healthier immune system.
Pets help with physical health and make humans more resistant to stress. Researchers at the State University of New York examined 50 Wall Street Stock Exchange employees. The result: people with pets reacted more calmly to stress and looked more relaxed.
The same research team at the State University of New York tested 250 married and single couples to measure physical and psychological stress. The result: single subjects with pets showed lower stress reactions than those with a partner and pets.
