Top 6 Reasons to Get a Pet Dog

Are you considering adopting a furry companion? A pet dog can turn your life upside down in the best way possible. Here are some of the top reasons why getting a pet dog is a great idea:

1. Unconditional Love: Dogs are renowned for their unconditional love and loyalty. They are always happy to see you and never judge you, no matter what. Plus, they are always ready for cuddles.

2. Companionship: Dogs are social creatures and thrive on companionship. They will be your best friend, constantly providing you with company no matter if it’s a good day or a bad day.

3. Health Benefits: Studies have shown that petting a dog can lower blood pressure (1) and reduce stress levels (2). Dogs are also proven to have positive effects on mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety (3). Adopting a dog can also encourage you to exercise more, which can lead to a more active lifestyle.

4. Protection: Dogs can provide a sense of security and protect your home and family.

5. Learning Responsibility: Owning a dog can teach children about responsibility and caring for another living being.

6. Family bonding: Caring for a dog can bring family members together and create lasting memories.

While pet dogs can bring a lot of love and joy into your life, Assistance Dogs take that bond to the next level.

Assistance Dogs are specially trained to provide support and assistance to people living with a disability. They are skilled in tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and even alert barking in case of emergency.

At Assistance Dogs Australia, we believe that all dogs are amazing, but Assistance Dogs go above and beyond anything a pet dog can do. If you’re interested in learning more about our organisation, please visit our FAQ section.

We rely on donations from our generous community to turn promising puppies into Assistance Dogs. If you would like to contribute to our cause, please donate here.

References:

1. American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, ‘Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk’, Circulation (May 2013) < https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1> [accessed 17 May 2023]

2. Peggy Nepps, Charles N Stewart, Stephen R Bruckno. ‘Animal-Assisted Activity: Effects of a Complementary Intervention Program on Psychological and Physiological Variables.’ J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. (July 2014) <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24789913/> [accessed 17 May 2023]

3. Patricia Pendry, Jaymie L. Vandagriff. ‘Animal Visitation Program (AVP) Reduces Cortisol Levels of University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial’. AERA Open (June 2019) <10.1177/2332858419852592> [accessed 17 May 2023]