By Yosef Scher, Senior Science and Technology Editor
Every parent dreads the “dog conversation” they inevitably have at some point with their children. If the parents are lucky, only one of the children will want a dog and nag them about it in private. However, most of the time, siblings work together to perpetually pester their parents to get a dog. For a parent, getting a dog can be an extra burden and responsibility, especially if the children get bored with the dog after a short while. While it is true that dogs are a tremendous responsibility, science has shown multiple benefits for individuals and families who have dogs.
One of the easiest ways dogs help families is by increasing the amount of exercise that the individuals within the family perform. While it depends on the dog breed, the average dog needs anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours of exercise a day. For most people, this entails walking their dog, playing with it, or taking it to the park. No matter the mode, ensuring that your dog gets exercise is an action that requires people to move around. Several studies have shown that owning a dog causes dog owners to spend more than three hours exercising compared to people without a dog. The minimum recommended amount of exercise an adult needs per week is two and a half hours of moderate exercise, so owning a dog ensures that you are keeping healthy by exercising the recommended amount every week. Interestingly, dog owners spend more time exercising, such as jogging, cycling, and visiting the gym, without their dogs. Most importantly, though, researchers have found that children with dogs are substantially more active than children without dogs. This is a significant finding, as it may be one way society combats the rise in child obesity worldwide.
Another way dogs have proven to benefit people is by reducing physical symptoms and ailments people may have. For example, dogs have been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease in people. The American Heart Association, the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, released a research report endorsing dog ownership to ward off cardiovascular disease. In a related manner, science has proven that dogs reduce blood pressure, which is becoming a necessity for our stress-induced environments. Dr. Jeremy Barron, the medical director of the Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine at Johns Hopkins, explains that when people are around and pet their dog, this physically lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone of the body, and boosts oxytocin levels, one of the body’s main pleasure hormones, in the brain. Additionally, dogs help aid people who are disabled, such as someone who is blind and requires a dog to guide them when walking.
Similarly, research has also shown that dogs can reduce emotional and mental struggles. Firstly, dogs reduce stress at work and home. With two out of three employees reporting that work stresses them out, dogs can be an effective therapy to alleviate some stress. Researchers have also found that dogs not only reduce stress, but also anxiety, and depression. Moreover, studies have proven that children and teenagers who own a dog have reduced levels of anxiety and depression. Finally, one of the more critical roles dogs play in the lives of many is helping combat loneliness. Dog owners who touch, see, hear, or talk to their companion animals are happier than when they don’t have a dog. From a scientific perspective, this occurs because dogs cause our brains to release oxytocin, making us happy.
As one can see, dogs provide us with a plethora of benefits. That being said, the tremendous responsibility required to adequately care for them should not be overlooked. Families need to consider various other factors, such as who will be looking after the dog and the expenses needed to care for a dog. Ultimately, the decision to get a dog cannot be made on a whim; however, if you feel that adding a new member to your family is a suitable option, make sure to take care of your pup so it can take care of you!