3 Ways a Dog Improves the Life and Health of Humans
August 26 is National Dog Day, which encourages our podiatrists to reflect on the myriad health benefits that “man’s best friend” has to offer:
- Dogs have a positive impact on their owner’s mental health.
Bona fide scientific studies have demonstrated that dogs can increase feelings of self-esteem while also decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Interacting with a dog can also lower one’s stress levels. Furthermore, the benefits apply to children as well as adults, including kids with autism and other learning challenges. - Dogs make humans safer and more social.
If you want to meet someone new, having a dog at the end of a leash makes it easier to strike up a conversation. In contrast, a dog’s growling and barking will alert you to people you don’t want to meet – strangers or potential home intruders. Service dogs not only help the visually impaired, but they also can detect imminent attacks in people with heart or allergy problems, as well as those with epilepsy and diabetes. - A pet dog improves the physical health of humans.
Want to stay motivated to exercise? Get a dog! A dog needs to be walked, so you have no choice but to move more. Walking the dog is a great way to stay fit, improve your heart health, and lower your blood pressure. The American Heart Association estimates that a dog owner is 34% more likely than a non-dog owner to get the recommended amount of weekly exercise. Furthermore, according to the AHA, dog owners who walk their dogs regularly reduce their risk of diabetes by one-third.
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, and Dr. Jim Swienconek, appreciate the physical benefits of having a dog most of all. Patients who run, walk, and toss a frisbee with their dog may find it easier to maintain a healthy weight, which helps keep their feet in shape, too. Of course, having a dog won’t eliminate all problems with your “dogs.” For expert treatment of all foot and ankle problems, call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
