WELLNESS AUTHOR
Mike de Lota, M.D.
MAN’S BEST FRIEND n The cardiovascular, hormonal and psychological reasons why dogs (and all pets) are man’s best friend.
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nimals have long been intertwined with human partners throughout history. Prehistoric cave paintings depict humans hunting side by side with canines; Egyptian hieroglyphs document that civilization’s domestication and worship of cats; and bird keeping was a popular European practice during the age of exploration well into the early 20th century. Throughout the vast sea of time and across numerous cultures, humans have turned to animal companionship for both survival and enjoyment. As Sylvia Plath once said, “How we need that security. How we need another soul
MARCH 2021
to cling to, another body to keep us warm. To rest and trust; to give your soul in confidence.” Although referring to human relationships, her wisdom is applicable to the connections we share with our pets. Not only do pets satisfy our basic need for companionship, but recent studies have shown that pet ownership can have many physical and mental health benefits as well.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Pet ownership may have a positive impact on one’s cardiovascular health. While ongoing research studying the link between these two has yielded mixed findings, several studies have shown a positive correlation.
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Perhaps the most obvious correlation is that pet ownership (specifically dog ownership) was linked with increased activity levels. One study found that dog owners were more likely to walk either with or without their dogs versus dog non-owners. Once they were told about the health benefits of walking their dogs, dog owners tended to increase their step count during walks. The American Heart Association also investigated this correlation and reported that, among people with cardiovascular disease, pet ownership may provide cardioprotective benefits. Two studies showed that after a heart attack, dog owners had a mortality
