The Importance of Having a Dog
Dogs can bring a lot of joy and benefits to a family. They provide comfort, affection, and support. That’s why many people consider their dogs to be a part of their family.
There are many benefits to having a dog in your life. Aside from being a playful, energetic, and loyal companion, the four-legged friend can do wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing.
Dogs Can Make You Healthy
Those who own a dog are more active when they accommodate their dog’s lifestyle. Health experts recommend that you get two and a half hours of moderate exercise a week. Data from the American Heart Association show that people who own dogs are about 54-percent more likely to get the amount of recommended exercise than those who don’t own dogs.
Dog owners also develop a stronger immune system from the exposure of dog hair and dandruff. As a result, most dog owners see a decrease in cholesterol levels, triglyceride, and blood pressure, reducing their risk for heart disease.
Dogs Can Improve Your Mood
Those who have a dog in their lives are more likely to be happy. Studies have shown that dog owners have a higher level of serotonin and dopamine. Dogs can help you maintain a positive outlook on life. Also, people with stressful jobs usually do better when there’s a dog around. That’s why therapy dogs are so useful. Dogs ease tensions that can reduce anxiety and stress, which can help boost your mood.
Dogs Can Help You Make Friends
Our furry friends can help promote social interaction because they are natural conversation starters. Studies found that about 40 percent of people who own dogs make friends more easily. Many dog owners use “dog” topics to break the ice with other dog owners. It’s also not uncommon to have people approach dog owners to pet their dogs.
Dogs Make Great Watchdogs
Dogs have a natural instinct to protect their families. They have a heightened sense of hearing and smell that humans don’t have. They can detect things and alert you to possible danger. Studies show that barking dogs help prevent home burglaries and other crimes. It may be annoying when they bark at the mailman who comes to your door, but their barking can be helpful if someone more malicious comes around.
Dogs Can Help Prevent Loneliness
As we get older, we may feel a sense of isolation and loneliness. But with a dog around, even when you are alone, you don’t feel lonely. Dogs provide a unique companionship. One study showed that dogs can cheer up lonely older adults and enhance their quality of life. Caring for a dog can help make you feel wanted and needed, which takes your focus away from your issues, especially if you live alone.
Watch YouTube Video: Health Benefits of Owning a Dog. The following video discusses some of the health benefits of having a dog in your life.
When Dogs Are Not So Great
Dogs may be our best friends, but sometimes they can bite. After all, dogs are still animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over four million people in the United States suffer from dog bites every year. Half of them are children between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. Even though strays or other dogs can bite, most people are bitten by a dog they know, such as a family dog or a friend’s dog.
Preventing Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause severe injuries and infections. One in five people who were bitten by a dog required medical care. The idea of being bitten by a dog can be scary, but it doesn’t mean you need to avoid them altogether. Dog bites usually happen when there is a miscommunication between the victim and the dog. To prevent dog bites:
- Choose a dog breed that is compatible with your family. An aggressive dog may not be suitable for young children.
- Before petting someone’s dog, always ask if it’s okay to pet the dog before reaching out.
- When a strange dog approaches you, remain still.
- Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog, especially if the owner is not around.
- Don’t disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or nursing puppies.
- Don’t encourage a dog to play aggressively.
- Don’t let young children play with a dog unsupervised.
- Socializing and training your dog can help minimize the risk of dog bites.
Dog Bite Treatment
If you were bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries, seek medical attention immediately. If there is a small cut, you can treat the wound yourself by washing it with soap and warm tap water. You should also keep an eye out for infections. Symptoms of an infection include pain, swelling, redness, and drainage of pus. If you see any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Dog Bite Reporting
Talk to the owner of the dog and gather as much information as you can about the dog’s rabies immunization status. If you don’t know who the owner is, you can go to your local animal control center for help with the required information.
By law, animal bites must be investigated. Reporting the dog bite incident does not mean that the animal is impounded or put to death. It may mean that the dog’s vaccination needs to be verified. This can help protect others from being injured in the future.
Watch YouTube Video: OSU Study Reveals Which Dog Breed is Most Likely to Bite. In the following video, Dr. Timothy Lee, with Akron Children’s Hospital, talks about dog bite occurrences in children and the types of dog breeds likely to bite.
Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a dog bite lawyer in Sacramento. Although dogs can make us happier and healthier, they can sometimes bite us. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident and need the guidance of an experienced dog bite attorney, call me for free, friendly advice. I can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact me online.
I have been helping families in Sacramento and throughout Northern California with their personal injury and wrongful death cases since 1982.
For a list of our case history, go to our verdicts and settlements page.
I am proud to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
You can go on Google, Avvo, or Yelp for our client reviews.
Photo by Trinity Kubassek from Pexels
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