​Why should you get a family dog?

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1.  Babies who live with dogs get sick less. According to a study done at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, babies who lived with dogs during the first year of their life were one third more likely to avoid respiratory illness and infection than their non-dog-owning counterparts. Many consider this to be a result of dogs causing more exposure to germs, increasing the babies’ immune systems to prevent sickness.

2. Pets help young readers gain confidence. Children who are learning to read often get self-conscious reading aloud around other people, but they don’t have that same anxiety around animals. Reading to a dog is the perfect way for kids to gain confidence.

3. Kids with dogs have less allergies and asthma. According to a study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, scientists have found that kids who grow up around dogs are 50% less likely to develop allergies and asthma than those who grow up without a dog.

4. Kids with dogs get more exercise. It’s easy to see how owning a dog would lead to spending more time outside and playing more. Dogs are a great companion for physical activities, and they require being walked if you live somewhere without a yard. All of that leads to healthier kids who are used to a more active lifestyle.

5. Dogs help reduce stress in kids with Autism. According to a study conducted by University of Montréal, the stress hormones of a child with an autism spectrum disorder are dramatically reduced when living with a trained service dog. A significant drop in behavioral problems was reported as well.

6. Family pets lead to sibling bonding. A dog in the family can help brothers and sisters grow closer through their common love of their pet. From sharing responsibilities for care, to just playing with the dog in the backyard, siblings can bond.

7. Kids who are allergic to dogs and live with them are less likely to have eczema. According to a University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine study, children who live with a dog when they are young, and also have an allergy to dogs, are four times less likely to have eczema.

8. Dogs can help kids learn important social skills. Growing up with a dog has been proven to help kids learn social skills, impulse control, and even improve their self esteem.

9. Kids grow up alongside a loving companion. Dogs are always happy to see you when you get home, and their love is unconditional. They’re the ideal confidant and an ever-willing playmate. There’s no better friend for a child than a dog.

10. Kids who care for pets learn responsibility. The daily commitment of caring for an animal is a great way to teach kids the importance of dependability and responsibility. To be a dog’s provider is an honor that requires a lot of patience and work.

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​More reasons why to get a dog!

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1. Spending just 15-30 minutes with your dog can help you feel more calm and relaxed, reducing stress and increasing happiness. Playing with your pup increases your brain’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and tranquility.
    

2. ​Studies show that talking to and petting your pooches are often accompanied by lower blood pressure, and that means a lowered risk for a myriad of different illnesses.
    

3. ​Of course! Your dog requires daily exercise, and so do you! Dog owners carry the responsibility of playing with and working their dogs, so it only makes sense that dog people tend to be more active.
    

4. ​Dog owners have a much higher rate of recovery from being sick than non-dog owners. In fact, humans with pooches who suffered from heart attacks were twice as likely to fully recover than those without!
    

5. ​Canines make excellent service companions when trained properly for people with disabilities. They can be trained to bring medication, alleviate a stressful situation for their human, and even detect an approaching epileptic seizure.
    

6. ​Because of their heightened sense of smell, sight, and hearing, dogs are extremely intelligent creatures with a loyalty to their humans that is unexpectedly strong. Those with dogs will know–your pups can sense human body language, emotions, and feelings, and this paves the way for an unbreakable bond.
    

7. ​Fight Depression!  Yes, not only do dogs need care and playtime with their humans, but they need time to socialize with other pups too! This means that their humans will have a chance to socialize while they oversee the puppy playdates. Those of you with pups know that even going on a walk in the neighborhood can bring many friends and start many conversations!
    

8. ​Break up the boredom!  Have you ever found yourself sitting at home, wondering what to do today? There are so many things you can do with your dog, whether that be taking a trip to the park, training, playing, running, or just watching them chew a toy. It’s all fun, for both of you.
    

9. ​Relieve stress!  Notice the increasing trend in workplaces allowing dogs to come to work with their humans? There’s a reason for that! Studies have shown that people who take their dogs to work have lower stress levels during the workday.