subject: I like Dogs - Dogs are Cool: Understanding the Human - Animal Bond [print this page] People who own dogs by and large look at them as part of their family. There is a human-animal bond that is admittedly experienced by a huge portion of dog owners.
Be sure to include me among that number. I love dogs - dogs are cool in so many ways. Of course if you aren't a dog owner you might assume any pet is merely property, something you own, just one of the things you possess.
Dogs are so much more, however, and I hope I can maybe change your mind.
Who hasn't read experiences about dogs visiting hospital wards, senior living facilities, and even prisons, in order to fortify the spirits of the folks living there? Spending simply a few moments petting and playing with the dog gives these people a reason to be happy --- to think and focus on a few pleasurable thoughts instead of their worries and concerns.
Several psychologists report individuals who've mentally withdrawn due to experiencing emotional trauma have became more communicative when they worked with a therapy dog. Frequently these individuals are just children.
Therapy dogs have even helped break through to Alzheimer's patients.
One university survey revealed that when patients with critical hypertension converse with other people who come in their room, their blood pressure stats generally rise. On the other hand, whenever a therapy dog spends some time with the same patients those numbers almost always go down.
What causes this?
The gentle act of petting a dog lowers apprehension --- and consequently lowers the blood pressure.
You can understand why individuals who suffer with cardiovascular disease frequently live a longer life if they own a loving dog --- another sign of the deep-seated human-animal bond. Also another reason I like dogs --- dogs are cool in other ways, too.
There have been frequent hospital studies that indicate a dog owner is better prepared to handle difficult life situations such as a family death, a serious health problem, a divorce, or a job loss. A faithful dog also supplies folks (especially individuals without a mate or children) a purpose to continue living after suffering such a difficult time.
Notwithstanding their bereavement, these folks have a sense of responsibility to provide for their pet, which, in turn, gives them the critical time required to get through their grief.
That's quite a lot of responsibility to plunk down on our tail wagging, furry family members.
There are lots more reasons -- but now I hope you understand the human - animal bond a little better, especially when it comes to dogs. I like dogs - dogs are cool!
I like Dogs - Dogs are Cool: Understanding the Human - Animal Bond
