Dogs our best friends in

sicknes and in health

Dogs, often hailed as humans’ best friends, have
been the topic of many scientific studies looking
into how they might boost our well-being. In this
Spotlight, we’ll explain how your friendly pup can
benefit your health across the board.

According to the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),
an estimated 78 million dogs are owned as
pets in the United States.
It is unclear when dogs were first
domesticated, but a study published last
year claims that, at least in Europe, dogs
were tamed 20,000–40,000 years ago.
It is likely that humans and dogs have
shared a special bond of friendship and
mutual support ever since at least the
Neolithic period — but why has this bond
been so long-lasting?
Of course, these cousins of the
wolves have historically been great at
keeping us and our dwellings safe,
guarding our houses, our cattle, and
our various material goods.
Throughout history, humans have
also trained dogs to assist them with
hunting, or they have bred numerous
quirky-looking species for their
cuteness or elegance.
However, dogs are also — and might
have always been — truly valued
companions, famed for their loyalty
and seemingly constant willingness
to put a smile on their owners’ faces.

In this Spotlight, we outline the

research that shows how our dogs
make us happier, more resilient when
facing stress, and physically
healthier, to name but a few ways in
which these much-loved quadrupeds
support our well-being.
 ‘Dogs make people
feel good’
It is really difficult not to cheer up, even
after a hard day’s work, when you are
greeted with — often vocal —
enthusiasm by a friendly dog.This,
researchers explain, is due to the effect
of the “love hormone” oxytocin.“During
the last decades,” write the authors of a
review that featured in Frontiers in
Psychology, “animal assistance in Just last year, Medical News Today
therapy, education, and care has greatly reported on a study that showed that
increased.”When we interact with dogs, owning a dog reduces a person’s risk of
our oxytocin levels shoot up. Since this is premature death by up to a third.
the hormone largely responsible for
social bonding, this hormonal “love Why is that? It is difficult to establish a
injection” boosts our psychological well- causal relationship between owning a
being. dog and enjoying better health.However,
the benefits may appear thanks to a
series of factors related to lifestyle
adjustments that people tend to make
after they decide to adopt a canine
friend.

The most prominent such lifestyle factor

is physical activity. There is no way
around it: if you own a dog, you have to
commit to twice daily walks — and
sometimes even more.

How dogs keep

you in good health
Many studies have suggested that having
dogs as pets is associated with better
physical health, as reviews of the existing
literature show. These findings persist.
 Questions
Are you conscious about how dogs are a gift for people?

Would you have a dog?

If you have a dog, have you felt better/happier thanks to him?

According to the reading, how many dogs are owned as pets in the United
States?

How are dogs described in the reading?

Can dogs strengthen our health?

Is having dogs associated with having better physical health?

Will dogs help us enjoy life better?

According to the reading, how can therapy dogs improve the psychological
well-being?

According to the reading, according to reading, how long ago were dogs
tamed?

Cohut, M. (2018, 26 agosto). Dogs: Our best friends in sickness and in health. Medical news
today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322868#Dogs-make-people-feel-good