One of my favorite parts about going home for the holidays is the fact that I get to see my dogs again. Dogs are notoriously good for human health and psychology according to numerous scientific studies.
A general overview of the relationship of human health and dog ownership found that, in terms of physical and psychological health, dogs generally have a prophylactic and therapeutic value for people. This is supported by an earlier study in 2004 that tested the saliva of three groups of college students: those that petted a live dog, those that petted a stuffed dog, and those that simply sat on a couch. They found that only the first group showed an increase in Immunoglobulin A (IgA), a the most prevalent protein in the body that is especially important as a first line of defense against illness. This is one of just several physiological measures that have been positively influenced by the presence of animals. Basically, petting a dog enhances your immune system.
A recent study in February 2016 also showed that "animal=assisted interventions" had a general positive effect on the core symptoms of ADHD.
In one 10-month study in 1991, scientists monitored 71 adults after they adopted a new pet, with a control of 26 other adults that did not own pets. Dr. James Serpell, the animal researcher who conducted the study at the University of Cambridge, found that the pet-owning groups (both those with dogs and cats) had a significant reduction in minor health problems in the first month and through the next 9 months. These groups also showed improvements in their scores on a General Health Questionnaire given to them by the scientists over the first 6 months, and their improved health remained until 10 months for dog owners. Dog owners also exercised more than both cat owners and people who did not own pets, simply due to the fact that they had to walk their dogs. This health effect remained throughout the study. So overall, just the adoption of a pet can improve your health, even if just for a short period of time.
A 1994 report showed that pet ownership can help diminish feelings of loneliness, especially for women living alone. The authors speculate that this is probably due to the compensation of the pet as a replacement for human companionship.
Dogs have also been shown to detect cancer, which was first reported in The Lancet in 1989. One of the patients in the study reported that her dog would consistently sniff a mole on her leg, and even tried to bite it off on one occasion. A 2006 report claimed a 99% accuracy in dogs detecting lung cancer, though the study had a relatively small sample size.
Dogs have also been linked to lowering your blood sugar and your risk of eczema, a skin condition. They have also been shown to be able to recognize the signs of seizures and therefore warn the other humans. They can also steer you away from foods you're allergic to, and can help rehabilitate you from illness, reports LiveScience.
So go home and love your dogs! They can only improve your health.
