{"id":952,"date":"2023-01-17T20:32:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T20:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/?p=952"},"modified":"2023-09-20T20:30:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T20:30:18","slug":"benefits-of-having-a-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/blog\/benefits-of-having-a-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Health benefits of having a dog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The benefits of owning a dog range from lifting moods to lowering disease risks. The Harvard Medical School report, \u201cGet Healthy, Get a Dog,\u201d shares evidence that dogs aren\u2019t just loyal companions, they\u2019re also good for your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to non-owners, dog owners have lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels, and a lower risk of heart disease. Mental health benefits of owning a dog include being less likely to feel lonely, anxious, or depressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other experts, including the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC), also cite the science-based health benefits of having a dog. Dogs help keep you active, healthy, social and engaged in life. They balance contagious enthusiasm with deep empathy and a desire to love and serve others unconditionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs nudge you \u2013 sometimes literally \u2013 to get up and move. They want to tag along to pet-friendly places. They urge you to go outside to walk, run, or play. They motivate you to meet and greet others you might otherwise overlook. Pet-friendly \u201cdog moms<\/a>\u201d and other fans know that dogs earn their frequent \u201cGood dog!\u201d praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiritual health benefits of owning a dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.\u201d Galatians 5:22, NET<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are far from perfect! They sometimes steal food, chew on rugs, bark at visitors, and covet their neighbor\u2019s chew toys. Like humans, they often fall short of their master\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, most keep trying, and routinely exhibit qualities that inspire us. Although they\u2019re not human, these faithful four-legged friends show us that some of life\u2019s best virtues stem from love (1 Corinthians 13:13<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are among God\u2019s most caring, joyful, and gentle creatures. They can help you find the self-discipline to work hard, stay active, love others, and forgive often. They can teach you how to forget your worries for a while. Dogs model traits that inspire God\u2019s children through changing seasons of life. That\u2019s good for the body, mind, heart, and soul.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dogs are far from perfect! They sometimes steal food, chew on rugs, bark at visitors, and covet their neighbor\u2019s chew toys. Like humans, they often fall short of their master\u2019s expectations (Romans 3:23).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Physical health benefits of owning a dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The physical health benefits of having a dog are confirmed by the AHA and other health leaders. The AHA reports that in addition to lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart-harming stress, dogs can improve recovery after illness. The AKC cites studies showing a clear correlation between dog ownership and longer life expectancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs help with weight-management, too. One NIH study of public housing residents found that those who walked \u201cloaner\u201d dogs lost an average of 14.4 pounds over a year. They saw it as their responsibility to the dog, not just an exercise chore, and felt a sense of being needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), people are happier and healthier when animals are around. Their research review found that interacting with animals results in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n