Dogs have enjoyed the post of humans’ best friend for eons and rightly so! Ask any dog parent, and they’ll tell you that their tail-wagging friend lights up their world even in the darkest hours.
The famous dog service, BarkBox conducted a dog-parent study in 2016 to ascertain just that! And unsurprisingly, the results of the survey revealed that indeed dogs cheer their owners as 71% of the participants stated that they are happier people because of their furry companion. And that’s not all; 80% of the dog parents who participated in the study said that they wake up easily in the morning because of their pet, while 90% shared that they are overall in a much better place in life, thanks to the humans’ best friend, aka dogs.
Considering how positively a dog influences humans, it’s only fair that the fluffy human companion carries the quite honorable title. Keeping all the merits of having a dog aside, the question remains why having dogs is such a delightful experience that people stay happier with them? Logically thinking, there has to be a reason why dogs have such a positive impact on humans, and we intend to find it. If you do too, keep on reading as we uncover the scientific reasoning behind the age-old question ‘why dogs make people happy.
Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is a chemical released by the human brain when people are excited or emotionally charged (like when they are having a grand old time with a loved one).
Think of the rush of emotions, the flutter in your heart you feel when cuddling with a partner- which is the result of oxytocin coursing through your body! Basically, that is what happens with us when we are delighted, and the cuddle hormone is released. Okay, so what does that have to do with dogs? Read on and find out!
Studies have shown that interaction with a dog spurs the brain to release oxytocin, which in turn relieves a person’s stress and makes them happy.
According to a 2015 ScienceMag study, dogs and dog owners experience an intense rush of oxytocin by just looking into each other’s eyes. That is why when dog parents come home from work, and their four-legged child comes running towards them, they are delighted and start beaming from ear to ear. Moreover, when they cuddle their fluffy child, they feel a flood of warm fuzzies, Kama muta wash over them.
If you to experience an instant calm taking over your mind and silencing all your worries, you need to board a dog if you haven’t already.
Despite being curious busybodies themselves, humans love to be around people who are sincere and do not judge others. But sadly, not many people succeed in finding genuine friendships and, more often than not, have had encounters with toxic individuals. That’s not to say you could never find an honest friend with a heart of gold; however, the chances of that are often low.
In a world of toxicity and feigned friendships, dogs offer humans solace in the form of unconditional love and undying loyalty. They comfort us, understand our mood, help us during the bad days and celebrate the good ones with us. Simply put, a canine companion is nothing short of a breath of fresh air in a stuffy environment.
Several studies have revealed that dog owners tend to be much happier and well-rounded than non-dog owners. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, dog owners have greater self-esteem and are less lonely. Furthermore, they are much more physically fit, conscientious, and socially outgoing.
In simple terms, people who receive genuine love and affection from their dogs are more likely to develop a balanced personality.
If you don’t have a dog yet, you need to get one ASAP to improve your life’s quality. Bring home a canine companion to brighten up your world instantly!
Dogs are active animals who require some sort of a training routine to burn off steam. If someone is a dog owner, they need to engage their four-legged companion in physical activity, which inadvertently keeps them active. As a result, both friends lead a healthier and fitter life.
But how does that help us in keeping humans happier? Here’s how.
When we exercise, our brain releases feel-good hormones, otherwise known as endorphins. These chemical compounds in our body uplift our mood and make us happy. Putting two and two together, having a dog keeps you active, which releases endorphins and consequently keeps you cheered up!
To support the mentioned argument, let’s go over the revelations that came about from the BarkBox study in which 72% of dog parents said that they were physically more active because of their tail-wagging fluffy friend.
The prolonged presence of endorphins in our system keeps depression away, ensuring lasting happiness.
If your life lacks the magic of feel-good hormones, you should adopt a dog to change that!
It’s a well-established reality that veterans go through unimaginable trauma on the frontline that stays with them for a long time, making life ever-so-miserable for them. That is why almost all vets who return from the battlefield struggle to readjust into civilian life while many give up trying and commit suicide.
A Veterans Administration study recently revealed that approximately 20 veterans kill themselves each day. As shocking as it may seem, the suicide rate among those who serve in the military is alarmingly high.
While there isn’t much that can be done for people who struggle mentally and physically after returning from war, they can be dissuaded from committing suicide with the help of companion pets.
Research shows that companion pets, such as dogs, are excellent at aiding veterans to readjust into their old lives by offering compassion, companionship, and a sense of purpose.
Aside from the trauma of the battlefield, the lack of purpose can drive veterans on towards suicide, and dogs can help tackle that by being a full-time responsibility that needs attention all the time!
Imagine a depressed vet smiling in spite of themselves- isn’t it a heartwarming scene?! How can dogs not make someone happy when they impact a veteran so positively?
If you are going through a rough patch in your life or are predisposed to getting depressed, you should consider adopting a dog right away! And even if you are a ray of sunshine yourself, adding a dash of sunlight (aka the joy a dog brings) will only make your light that much brighter! So, what are you waiting for now? Go and get a canine companion!
https://www.petsforpatriots.org/can-companion-pets-reduce-veteran-suicide/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/04/how-dogs-stole-our-hearts
by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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