5 Amazing Health Benefits of Having a Dog

1). Detecting Early Signs of Disease – For years, research has found that some dogs have the miraculous ability to sense the preliminary stages of health imbalance - even detecting migraines and seizures well before they transpire. Thanks to their intuition, dogs detect small differences in our physical state, such as quivering lips and subtle muscle twitching.

2). Mental/Emotional Support – Perhaps the most compelling evidence of just how therapeutic dogs can be is exemplified by their ability to improve army veterans’ quality of life. Different programs pair service dogs with soldiers returning from combat to provide companionship and emotional support. These beautiful canine companions are trained to show physical affection when they sense signs of a panic attack coming on – and in some cases, dogs work better than drugs!

3). Doggy Therapy – While researching Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the presence of a canine companion having a positive effect on the disorder has been established. A dog’s intuition lets him/her know when your behavior becomes repetitive and/or compulsive, urging you to stop by nudging, barking or getting your attention in some way.

4). Mood Regulation – Simply petting a dog has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of pain by increasing production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being.

5). Strengthen Your Immune System – Believe it or not, daily exposure to the types of germs and bacteria dogs carry is actually good for the human body! By constantly recognizing and processing these foreign invaders, we strengthen our own immunity and defense mechanisms, making us less susceptible to common infection. Some research even suggests this symbiotic relationship can lower a child’s risk of developing asthma.