This is the story of how I went from not being a dog person to being an extreme dog lover. It all started when my eldest daughter approached her father and me and told us that not only did she want a dog, she needed an emotional support dog. She, like many children, was feeling isolated and distraught because at the time she was forced to do distance learning, wasn’t socializing, and felt like every single day was the same. She told us that a dog would help her have something to look forward to every day, help her feel needed and wanted, and would make for a great companion. We didn’t disagree, but not only did I not consider myself a dog person, we rent and aren’t allowed to have pets.
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Still, my daughter was adamant that a dog would make her life and our family’s life better. She would not stop advocating for an emotional support dog. So we got her a therapist to help her cope and discuss ways to make her feel better. Guess what? The therapist prescribed an emotional support animal (ESA). Yes, you read that right! She was prescribed an emotional support animal. The prescription came with a letter, signed by the therapist, to present to our landlord that basically says that under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the support animal should be allowed to live with us. We live in California where landlords cannot evict or restrict a tenant for having an emotional support animal.
And so we got a dog! Now I am such a dog person and can’t wait to share with you all of the mental health benefits that a wonderful dog can provide for a family.
A dog can help you relax.
If you've never had a dog, it's difficult to describe how they can just make all the stress and mental fatigue you are facing just disappear for at least a few moments. For example, when you come home from a hectic day and you spend a bit of time receiving love from and giving love to your dog, your mood can't help but improve.
They can help alleviate the symptoms of depression.
If you feel depressed, sad, or existentially empty, the presence of or dog or even the thought of adopting one, preferably an adult one, can help you lessen this feeling of profound loneliness. There are even studies that show that looking your dog directly in the eyes during your raises your level of oxytocin—the happiness hormone.
They are great for your health as you age.
According to an annual survey on healthy aging conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Health Policy and Innovation, 55% of respondents ages 50 to 80 stated that having the company of their dog helped them maintain balance in their emotional and even physical health. The positive effects were related to feeling loved and enjoying life. Many agreed that their pooches helped them deal with physical and even emotional pain.
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They help 'pooch' away work stress.
According to a a study by the International Journal of Occupational Health Management, when there is a dog at work there are many benefits for the health of the people who are in workplace. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University who participated in the study found that the stress levels of employees at the research site were significantly reduced. In addition, performance and satisfaction increased.
They encourage physical activity.
Exercising is the best natural medicine. Moving your body regularly is good for physical and mental health. As humans, we have a way of talking ourselves out of going outdoors or exercising regularly. Dogs aren't like that, they crave and need movement. When you love a dog, you'll do what's best for him, even when you wouldn't necessarily do what's best for you. Dogs will ask to move and go out and you will move and go out with them.
Dogs can even detect cancer.
The British Public Health System is so confident in the reliability of dogs to detect cancer that it has incorporated them into screening tests. One of the most well-known cases that led to conducting different studies is from 1989 when a dog detected its owner had malignant melanoma. This ability requires special training and is thanks to their great sense of smell.
They increase your opportunities to express affection.
Dogs can become you most loyal companion. They love you without judgment. There is no fear of rejection like there is with fellow humans, and you don't feel the need to protect yourself from disappointment if you show them love. You know that they will always want your love, and that makes it so easy to give.
They may help with chronic disease.
Did you know that petting your dog reduces your blood pressure? It also helps you strengthen your immune system. If that's not magic, I don't know what is. That means that just by petting your dog, your quality of life can improve regardless of any chronic disease you may suffer from.
They help you be more social.
I've made so many new friends since we got our dog. I've made friends at the dog park, whom I look forward to seeing regularly. Dogs need to be socialized when they are young, and while socializing our dog, I got to socialize as well. My dog helps me feel connect to others and has helped me create a community.
Dogs make you less likely to have a heart attack.
A Swedish National Registry study that found that dog owners had a very low probability of suffering myocardial infarction or heart failure. The reasons for that is that they provide “social support and motivation for physical activity.”
They increase your sense of security.
Having their companionship alleviates loneliness. Not to mention that certain breeds make for great guard dogs that quite literally will protect you from harm, if they need to. Having a dog who will look out for your safety helps you feel safer at home or outdoors when you are walking alone.
They give every day a sense of purpose.
Having a dog is a great responsibility. Your dog needs you, so your sense of being needed is always activated. That routine you create with your dog adds a sense of purpose to your life. Your care and devotion is rewarded with the joy that comes from spending time with an animal that loves you very much.
You embrace responsibility.
Dogs need routines and schedules in order to be happy and healthy. You become responsible for their well-being. Your kids also learn responsibility from participating in the animal's care. It ends up showing both adults and children that responsibility can be an act of love and not a burden at all.
They can help children develop self-esteem.
When we got our dog, she was meant to be an ESA for my eldest child, but she ended up helping us all out and in particular, she helped my youngest feel more confident. In the beginning our youngest daughter was very timid with the dog, then she learned that in order to be respected by the dog, she had to assert herself. It's amazing how much more confident and commanding my youngest is now and our dog totally listens to her commands.
Dogs help a child with special needs with psychomotor growth.
As a playmate, a puppy encourages a child to develop skills by way of training the pup. Dog training can be beneficial for the child's psychomotor development because it ends up being a kind of motor therapy that encourages a child with special needs to work on their own growth via training their dog. It also helps a child with special needs feel included and develop social skills.
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