Dogs (or animals in general) make our lives better, and there is actual scientific research (FEDIAF) that confirms this. No matter your age, nationality or geographical location, living with a dog can benefit you in several ways:
Social benefits of living with dogs
Dogs are great companions and they are often a great source for meeting and socializing with other people (which you wouldn´t meet otherwise). Loneliness is considered one of the biggest social issues present in recent years, and it affects people of any age, but it occurs most commonly in elderly people.
Several studies have shown that pets can play a vital role in reducing the sense of isolation. These benefits can also spread into the wider community and the local neighbourhood. You might remember the benefits of owning dogs during Cov19 pandemic, I can certainly say that my dogs were a great comfort for me, as well as our family.
Another scientific fact: children, who live with pets or are exposed to contacts with other people´s pets to a point of forming a strong bond, as a result of this develop good empathy and concern for others. This is of course a very important characteristic that should be promoted in children, who will eventually develop into empathic adults.
Mental health benefits of living with dogs
From a mental health perspective, studies have shown that companion animals help soothe feelings of stress and/or depression in their humans. For the elderly people, pets also positively affect their mental health in case of long periods of loneliness. Children also often seek out their pets when they are upset and see their pets as friends.
Health benefits of living with dogs
The most commonly talked about health benefit is increased physical activity of dog owners, due to their daily walks or other recreational activities to benefit their dogs needs. Children in “dog households” are usually also more physically active. Regular physical activity generally leads to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and better immune system (leading to fewer illnesses and doctor´s visits). Having dogs (or other pets) in the household has also been linked to improved children´s immune system, especially in allergy prevention.
We should also mention benefits for persons with special needs
Companion animals are beneficial in various specialized settings like classrooms, rest homes, and medical environments, and there is growing acceptance of bringing dogs to work. Emotional support dogs (in the USA) are also allowed to accompany their owners on plane flights.
Service dogs help those with a variety of physical disabilities such as blindness and immobility and even medical detection, such as alerting around a medical seizure. These dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they can assist their owners reliably and safely in a range of everyday situations. Having a companion animal has also been shown to be beneficial in syndromes such as autism and more severe psychiatric situations. For instance, many individuals with PTSD find comfort and a grounding presence in service dogs, which can help mitigate anxiety and panic attacks. Additionally, therapy dogs are increasingly used in clinical settings to support patients during recovery by providing comfort and reducing stress levels. The role of service dogs in improving the quality of life for individuals with various disabilities and medical conditions cannot be overstated.