A dog-lover and an associate professor at University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, Manos Stamatakis, recently launched research on the health effects of having a dog for owners.
"In the last three to four decades there has been a little bit of research about humans and dogs and the benefits humans can derive from dog ownership. However it's been very fragmented and sporadic, without much continuity," Stamatakis told The Huffington Post Australia.
"Though there has been plenty of anecdotal evidence, the problem with not having robust scientific evidence is that it's then not taken very seriously," he said.
Having a pet keeps the owner's heart healthy since people who walk their dogs are likely to engage in exercise. "Dogs also work as a catalyst for improving physical health by encouraging their owner to walk more and be more physically active," Stamatakis explained.
"Spending more time outdoors means there is potential to increase social interaction" too, he added. "If you're in a park by yourself, its unlikely you'll stop and start chatting to a stranger for five minutes. But if you have a dog, it's very common."
"Dog ownership -- if it's handled with care -- can change life for the better for many people," Stamatakis continued. "We live in an increasingly solitary world an individualistic world. It can be difficult to get unconditional acceptance and love."
According to WebMD, petting your dog also gives a soothing feeling that relieves anxiety and stress. Aside from comforting your pet, this actually lowers blood pressure and cuts down your body's release of stress hormones which eventually could make you feel at ease.
"There is huge health potential on multiple fronts," Stamatakis said.
Another study shows that dog owners who survived heart attacks or suffer heart problems apparently live longer than those who don't have pets.
