Why owning a dog is good for you?

Why owning a dog is good for you?

· Regular dog-walking improves fitness levels.

· Dog-walking increases social interaction - many people become friends with the fellow dog owners they regularly meet.

· Walks help to forget the stresses and strains of everyday life, providing an opportunity to can get away from it all and spend some time with a faithful companion.

· Dogs provide us with a sense of emotional wellbeing thanks to the unconditional love they give us.

· Dog owners generally have a more robust immune system, helping them stave off illnesses.

· Dog ownership helps people to recover from personal trauma, such as bereavement.

· Dog owners generally have reduced blood pressure compared with non-dog owners.

· Patting a dog lowers your blood pressure, therefore lowering your chances of cardiovascular disease.

· Dog owners often recover faster from illnesses and have a higher survival rate after a heart attack.

· Dog-owning children have fewer sick days off school, and children who own pets often have better self esteem.