I read an article recently in my local newspaper, and it really grabbed my attention, especially because it was about dogs. It was titled, “Want to get healthy? Get a dog,” in the Sarasota Observer by Kristine Nickel, and it was all about the health benefits of having a dog. Many people are well aware that dogs can be therapeutic, especially when they are brought to hospitals and to college campuses during finals. However, many do not know the extreme advantages owning a dog has on their health, when they aren’t sick or a stressed-out student. Dogs are like your own personal drug, and they can help with a myriad of health problems and diseases. So, I did a little more research in addition to the article and the results were quite fascinating.

In her article, Nickel mainly focused on physical health and kid’s health. She outlined a study done by Harvard Medical School, edited by Dr. Elizabeth Frates, mentioning how canines fulfill the necessity we often have to have a companion. It leads to reduced illness and a longer life. (When people often associate cats with people who are lonely and single, shouldn’t it be dogs instead?) Nickel also pointed out that dog owners usually are more fit, less obese, and have lower blood pressure, along with less of a tendency to have diabetes. She wrote that the American Heart Association suggested owning a dog as a strategy for reducing the risk of heart disease. Regarding kid’s health, Nickel said that having a dog around the house when you have kids makes them get more active, and feel more secure emotionally and psychically. It also reinforces responsibilities of life, giving them the power to be the caretaker of a loved one.

After reading that article, I found an endless amount of studies that proved the pros of having a furry friend. I’ll share a few with you—In a study conducted by James Gern at University of Wisconsin-Madison, dogs were proven to reduce the risk for allergies and asthma in kids. Having a dog around also lead to augmentation in levels of certain immune system chemicals, making for a stronger immunity to fend of diseases.

On Harvard’s Medical school website, they introduce a health report titled: “Get healthy, Get a dog.” It outlines the benefits of owning a dog, especially the companionship between a canine and its owner. The camaraderie alone can immediately you to feel more relaxed, more mindful and more social in your daily life. Just walking your dog can immediately calm you down, and relieve your stress.

In case you aren’t convinced at all, I will draw upon my own experience. I’ve had a dog for most of my life, and I can tell you that I always went to them when I needed to feel better. Animals can sense your emotions and my dogs could always tell when I was feeling distressed. They would often come over to me, and sit there patiently, knowing that I needed their presence. My current dog always entertains me, and makes me laugh with her silly behavior or hilarious expressions. It gave me a sense of responsibility as a kid because I had an animal to care for. I don’t have any scientific evidence of my own, but I can certainly see why they can make you a healthier person in even the smallest of ways.