Lately I have been fortunate to have met many new people and become engaged in a lot of interesting discussions during readings and interviews about my novel Coded to Kill at bookstores, on radio talk shows and through other events. Not surprisingly, many of the discussions focus on health care and wellness since my techno-thriller takes place primarily in a hospital setting.
At one event we had some great conversation around a study, which demonstrated the benefits of owning a dog, particularly for individuals who had been hospitalized for a heart attack or stroke. It was so interesting I thought this would be a great opportunity to share it with you.
In Sweden, dog owners are required to register their dogs which provides investigators with a very large, accurate national database to study. Previous studies have already established that dog ownership is associated with increased physical activity levels and social support, both of which could improve the outcome after a major cardiovascular event. In this study, however, they went further and found that dog ownership could play a role in extending an owner’s life, particularly in single-occupancy households where ownership provides substitutive companionship – really the perfect companion – and motivation for physical activity.
This study reviewed nearly 300,000 patients who had been hospitalized for heart attack or stroke and when adjusted for many demographic factors, such as age, sex, income, other diseases, etc., the study concluded that dog owners lived longer and had fewer recurrent events than those without dogs.
The study noted both physical and mental health benefits of dog ownership – almost providing a zen-like calmness and stability which promotes healing. Here is a full list of benefits:
- Increased Physical Activity:
- Regular walks and playtime with a dog encourages exercise, leading to improved heart health, weight management, and overall fitness.
- Studies show dog owners are more likely to meet recommended daily exercise guidelines.
- Improved Heart Health:
- Dog ownership has been linked to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Reduced risk of heart disease and greater longevity after heart-related events, such as heart attacks.
- Chronic Disease Management:
- Pet therapy programs show improvements in chronic pain management and mobility.
Mental Health Benefits
- Stress Reduction:
- Interacting with dogs reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increases oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”).
- The calming presence of a dog can lower anxiety and improve mood.
- Companionship and Loneliness:
- Dogs provide unconditional love and companionship, reducing feelings of isolation.
- Particularly beneficial for single adults, older adults, and those living alone.
- Support for Mental Health Conditions:
- Dogs can help manage depression and anxiety by offering a routine, sense of purpose, and emotional support.
- Service and therapy dogs are particularly beneficial for individuals with PTSD, autism, or other psychological challenges.
This is also very timely information since the holidays can be both a time of great joy and excitement but also stressful for many people. In fact, Americans have more fatal heart attacks during the holiday season than any other time of the year. According to a study published in Circulation, the top three days for heart attacks are December 25, December 26 and January 1, respectively.
Here at Michigan Medicine, we can see firsthand how our therapy dogs can relieve stress among patients who are preparing for or recovering from procedures. In both our adult and children’s hospitals, these dogs are truly amazingly kind and empathetic. You can see from our patients’ faces; they just give one a sense of relief.
In summary, dogs enrich lives by promoting better physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. While benefits can vary based on demographics, their positive impact is universal.
My family hasn’t had a dog since our children were living at home, but reviewing the literature, I’m thinking that it might be a very good thing for me and my wife.