By Claire Brinsden Jordan
When it comes to health and wellness, consider the often-over-looked power of pets. I lost my beloved rescue Rottie to stomach cancer at the end of January 2025. In the year since, I have personally experienced the health effects of NOT having my loyal companion, including elevated blood pressure for the first time in my life. Without him my days have included less walking, less time outside, less smiling, and fewer moments of joy. I am, quite simply, less healthy without him (and heartbroken). Of course, I could add more walking and time outside without a dog, but it seems less of a chore when you are doing it to make your best friend happy. And when you lose a dog, you realize that every dog is a therapy dog. Unlike humans, they are innately present in the moment, compassionate and attentive. There is scientific proof that time with a furry friend, especially a dog, improves both mental and physical health by reducing stress and anxiety, encouraging exercise, and easing loneliness and depression.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Dogs need regular walking, which is why 60% of dog owners meet or exceed the recommended weekly amount of exercise. Dogs are all about routine and will let you know when you’re slacking! This regulation of daily movement helps to maintain a healthy weight. Having a pet around also reduces blood pressure, so pet owners tend to have lower resting blood pressure than those who don’t have a pet. Keeping your blood pressure in check reduces strain on your heart and blood vessels, preventing heart attack, stroke, and damage to vital organs. Taking time to cuddle or stroke your pet provides a calming, mindful respite from the stresses of daily life. This contact triggers the release of the love hormone, oxytocin, and decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. According to the American Heart Association, pet owners, especially dog owners, have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
MENTAL BENEFITS
There is nothing more joyful than being greeted at the door by a dog – it’s pure, unbridled, tail-wagging enthusiasm. You feel important, needed and most of all, loved. Dogs are especially plugged in to their human’s emotions, and intuitively know when you need comfort and support. After a tough day, playing with your pet can boost your mood, make you laugh, and ease anxiety. I have been fortunate to call four dogs “family” in my lifetime, and I can attest that, no matter what the problem, there is always solace in a dog. Most importantly, pets give us a sense of purpose. They have needs and routines that add structure to our lives. You don’t need an alarm clock or a watch when you have a dog. If their dinner time is 5pm, they will let you know when it is 5pm! Caring for a pet teaches us to be more present in each moment and to express our emotions more freely.
AGING BENEFITS
In addition to these physical and mental benefits, pets are especially important for older adults to provide social interaction and reduce feelings of isolation. If you’ve ever visited one of our many wonderful dog parks, you know how important they are for bringing people together. Older adults who own pets have a lower rate of depression. Studies show that seniors with pets have better memory and slower cognitive decline than those without. People who are managing long-term diseases like Alzheimer’s can benefit from having a pet companion that reduces anxiety and agitation. Cats require less physical exercise, so may be a better option for those with limited mobility. Of course, it’s important to plan for the pet’s needs if their owner is no longer able to care for them.
BENEFITS TO CHILDREN
Those of us who grew up with a dog know that some days it seemed they were the only one on our side! Apart from my older brother, my first dog, a beautiful rescue Collie who looked like “Lassie”, was my first best friend. For children, pets provide comfort, companionship, and love, while boosting self-esteem and encouraging physical activity. Pets provide a safe space where children can share their secrets and emotions. Caring for a pet teaches children empathy, compassion, patience and responsibility. Children who read to their pet instead of a person can practice without judgement or criticism, improving focus and literacy skills. For a shy child, a dog can provide an icebreaker to help start conversations and give them confidence in social situations. There is evidence that pets help children with autism and ADHD by providing unconditional acceptance, a calming influence, and courage for social interactions. Being exposed to a pet early in life can also boost a child’s immunity, resulting in fewer allergies and infections.
Before adopting a pet, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, budget, mobility level, and health goals. You must also consider the needs of the animal when deciding what kind to adopt. It is important to research specific dog breeds to find the best match. There are thousands of wonderful dogs and cats in shelters and rescues that could become your best pal. I plan to fill my house with the joy of another rescue dog in the future, but for now I am enjoying guilt-free travel. It is emotionally difficult to leave a pet, and in-home pet sitters can be expensive. If you can’t own a pet, offer to pet sit for a friend or relative, or volunteer at a pet shelter like Pet Pal or Friends of Strays. I enjoy spending time outside watching wild animals that visit my back yard and canal – dolphins, stingrays, pelicans, birds, rabbits, squirrels, and even the sweet juvenile opossum I rescued from the pool. Spending any amount of time with animals, especially pets, will improve your physical and mental health.