DJ Waddell
Professor Bolderson
ENC 1102
25 September 2012
Dogs
Dogs are a great foundation to provide a sense of responsibility to children and adults alike. Owning a dog provides a friend, protection from strangers, and various health benefits. “There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that pet owners experience improved physical, mental and emotional health” (Cutt 261). By simply owning and caring for a dog, owners gener-ally live longer healthier lives compared those who do not own a dog. Dog ownership requires a need for exercise in the form of walking the animal. There are many benefits to walking multiple times a day, such as; reduced fat, and lower cardiovascular risks. Dog owners experience longer lives, better health, companionship, and protection by simply owning and caring for a dog.
Simple activities associated with dog ownership, such as; walking, playing fetch, or tug-of-war; have increased health benefits compared to cat ownership. “Dog owners appear to have lower systolic blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, better survival rates after a heart at-tack, lower levels of mental stress, lower feelings of loneliness and depression and higher self-esteem” (Cutt 262). “Recent evidence suggests that exposure to pets in early childhood can re-duce the risk of atopic diseases” (Bufford 1635). Owning a dog encourages more physical activi-ty, and thus showing the high level of health benefits. “Pet ownership among older adults is as-sociated with several health benefits, including greater physical activity and less disability. For instance, dog owners are more likely to walk and walk longer distances and more frequently than non-pet owners” (Thorpe 1419). This increase in physical activity not only keeps owners healthi-er, but keeps them healthier longer. Elderly adults that own dogs show greater mobility and the ability to be mobile longer. Due to the physical needs of a dog the owner must also become physically active.
Caring for a...