
08/26/2025
Having a dog provides significant physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which reduce the risk of heart disease. It promotes physical activity through walks and playtime, improves mood and mental health by reducing stress and feelings of loneliness, and increases opportunities for social interaction. Additionally, early exposure to dogs can reduce the risk of allergies in children, and some studies show dogs can improve cognitive function in older adults. If you can’t have a dog, consider volunteering for dog walking or pet sitting.