|
This is my best
friend, Pippa! |
|
AA
dog
can truly be your best friend.
These
happy go lucky
four-legged friends provide you with constant unconditional love and
devotion. A dog will raise your spirits, reduce your stress
and
take away your anxiety. Having a dog as a companion
could
add years to your life. Studies have shown that owning a dog
played a significant role on survival rates in heart attack victims.
In one study, patients who were admitted to the hospital were
evaluated for one year. Researchers discovered that the
patients
who were alive one year after the heart attack were more likely to own
a dog. Studies have also shown how the calming and soothing
presence of dogs helps with keeping blood pressure levels in the
healthy range. Along with companionship, dogs satisfy our
human
need for close physical contact and touching. This combination often
induces feelings of stress-relief among humans. Research from
the
University of Missouri-Columbia suggests the hormonal changes that
occur when humans and dogs interact could help people cope with
depression and certain stress-related disorders. An example
of
this is spending a few minutes of stroking your pet dog. This
simple act prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in
humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. A dog will always
say I am glad to see you and I love you, no matter how long you have
been away. |