The Health Benefits of Dogs

Health Benefits of

First Some Rules:

Dogs are a commitment {Years, not Days}

Dogs need exercise too you know!

Check you can afford & care for a Dog first (before owning one)

A Dog is more than Man’s Best Friend

Dogs are also Good for:

Improved Cardiovascular Fitness

Reduced Blood Pressure

We Love an Active Lifestyle

Help you Reach Your

Fitness Goals

Good at Maintaining your weight

A Quiet 30 mins with me:  

Increased dopamine and endorphins associated with

happiness

Decreased levels of cortisol a stress hormone

VS.

We're Better than Medication

Fewer allergies and less wheezing and asthma in children exposed

to pets during infancy.

And we'll give you…

LOVE Unconditional

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” - Ben Williams

Improved

Self-Esteem

People with pets have more self-esteem and feel less lonely than people without pets.

Did we mention we're cute?

Patients with Alzheimer's Disease showed increased calmness and improved social interactions when they received visits from Golden Retrievers.

Fewer doctor visits per year for elderly

dog owners than non-owners.

“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.” - Samuel Butler

Dogs can improve your mood

Dog owners were found to

be as emotionally close to

their dogs as they were their

closest family members.

“I believe in integrity. Dogs have it. Humans are sometimes lacking it.” ~ Cesar Millan

Greater reduction of

cardiovascular stress

response in the presence

of a dog in comparison to

friends or spouses.

Dogs are miracles with paws. - Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

SUPPORT Show Your

Thanks to these Sources:

RSPA Australia (http://rspca.org.au)

National Pet Month (http://nationalpetmonth.org.uk)

Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (http://www.ovma.org)

Pets Are Wonderful Support (http://www.pawssf.org)

BBC News – Dog-owners ‘lead healthier lives’ (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6279701.stm)

Cesar Millan (http://www.cesarsway.com/)

Flickr Photos:

Image Slide 20 by Rennett Stowe Rennett Stowe

Image Slide 21 by Mark Hanna bobmarley753

Image Slide 17 by Sonja Lovas Sonja Lovas

Studies & Research Cited: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Friends With Benefits: On the Positive Consequences of Pet Ownership

Allen, K.M., Blascovich, J. (2002). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine 64:727-739.

Gern, J., Reasdon, C., Hoffjan, S., Li, Z., Rogberg, K., Neaville, W., Carlson-Dakes, K., Alder, K., Hamilton, R., Anderson, E.,Gilbertson White, S., Tisler, C., Dasilva, D., Anklam, K.,Mikus, L., Rosenthal, L., Ober, C., Gangon, R., Lemanske, R. (2004). Effects of dog ownership and genotype on immune development and atopy in infancy. J Clinical Immunology. 113(2):307-314.

McCabe, B.W., Baun, M.M., Speich, D., Agrawal, S. (2002). Resident dog in alzheimer's special care unit. Western Journal of Nursing Research 24(6):684-69

Siegel, J.M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physicians' services among the elderly: the moderating role of pet ownership. J Pers Soc Psychol 58:1081-1086

Flynn, C. (2000). Battered women and their animal companions: Symbolic interaction between human and nonhuman animals. Society & Animals, 8(2) 99-127.

Odendaal, J. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy - magic or medicine? J Psychosomatic Research 49(4):275-280

Thank you!  

Designed By:

Keep on Loving your Dogs!

*Don’t forget to follow me on SlideShare