Anything relaxing or enjoyable helps boost endorphins and other mood-boosting neurochemicals. It also lowers stress chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine that can interfere with sleep and create patterns of negative thinking and depression. Animals and our family pets in particular play a role in the health and happiness of ourselves and entire family. Their devotion, constant love, and desire to please create feel-good feelings which make people happy. Pets fulfill or wash away feelings of loneliness, are companionship, give us purpose, and another being we can create a unique bond with. In addition dogs encourage people to get out and move, get fresh air, and even socialize with other people (sharing a common interest in their pets, and being an easy conversation starter). All of these benefits of having a pet are especially in times of stress and healing. "One study published in 1995 found that dog owners were more likely, by about 8.6 per cent, to be alive one year after a heart attack than those who do not own a dog." And "according to Deborah Wells from Queen's University, Belfast, dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, possibly thanks to regular walks with their four-legged friends. Dr Wells said: "It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress." Who can help but feel loved when greeted with a big hug and sloppy kiss from the furry love of your life when you get home? A New York Times article tells that “The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” said Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” (Da Capo, 2008) chronicles human-animal interactions. “We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.” Read the full article here.cited: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/how-a-dogs-life-can-make-you-happier-433184.html
