Health Benefits for French Bulldog Owners

Veterinarians agree that pets are good for you. I’d be hard pressed to find one who didn't agree. At some intrinsic level, veterinarians have always known that animals do their owners well. The American Veterinary Medical Association now recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond, and has issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people.  

It's commonly known that a loving human-pet relationship can add years of life to both in the relationship. Anyone who has ever loved a companion animal knows this to be true. Studies indicate that pet ownership is beneficial to humans in numerous ways. Not only does the Center for Disease Control recognizes that having a pet lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, they also provide opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization. In case study after case study, research points to a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved health. The survival rate for heart attack victims is significantly higher for those with pets than those without. Pet owners are four times more likely to live a full year after surviving a heart attack than non-owners. In the studies cited, 28 percent of the patients without pets died before the one-year mark. 

In studies not only are stress levels reduced, symptoms affiliated with depression and anxiety are drastically lowered. Pet ownership not only improves mental and physical health; these adorable bundles of joy help to extend a person's life.

A study conducted at UCLA found that dog owners required much less medical attention for pains caused by stress than non–dog owners. A significant amount of research has been conducted to prove that animals are natural healers. Besides being good companions, pets help people cope with a myriad of physical, mental and emotional issues ranging from Alzheimer's disease to ADD, trauma, attachment disorders, autism and even cancer. 

The American Medical Association released a study in 2002 stating that children raised from birth in multiple pet households may be less likely to develop allergic illnesses. Exposure to dog germs early in life helps build the immune system.

Positive Thinking About Your French Bulldog Puppy: Grow Old with me; the Best is Yet to Be

While people of all ages benefit from pet interaction, seniors may see more tangible benefits in recovery times and mitigated feelings of isolation and loneliness. Evidence suggests that pets allow seniors to cope better with the loss of a friend or family member. By assisting their owners in maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle, pets help prevent many health problems that could have resulted from high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies show that pet-owning seniors who take more walks draw more benefits from them and are significantly less dissatisfied with their emotional, social, and physical well being than contemporaries without companion animals. For the elderly, pets provide motivation for health maintenance while offering companionship.

A variety of medical studies and the doctors who conduct them tell dramatic turnaround tales of patients who find renewed reasons to live after adopting pets. From casual conversations that focus on pets to increased exercise and societal interaction, seniors find more satisfaction in lives that include pets. Across the board, medical professionals are singing the praises of companion animals who experience the same joy that humans do during positive interactions.

Although this field of research is relatively new, some medical professionals have recommended pet therapy or ownership as a way to enhance patient health for years. Dramatic shifts in well being have been detected when animal-assisted therapy was tested on patients who had not responded to medication. After brief exposure to therapy dogs, patients waiting for electro-convulsive therapy experienced a 37 percent reduction in fear levels. In another study, psychotic episodes of psychiatric patients were cut in half after a half hour with therapy dogs. Medical professionals explain that because pet interactions lowers stress levels, the body has more energy for self protection and cell growth. Pet exposure lowers bad neurochemicals such as cortisol, which can lead to depression and anxiety, and boosts good ones such as oxytocin, which produces happiness and relaxation. There is a chemical justification for animal-assisted therapy and pet ownership.

Animal volunteer organizations train animals and then bring them to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to help those in need. An increasing number of hospitals and nursing homes use pet-assisted therapy for patients, and doctors are recommending that patients adopt pets as a way to stay healthy. Those not wanting to commit to owning a pet should consider volunteering at shelters or fostering shelter dogs. Even limited exposure to pets can improve health and mitigate feelings of loneliness. Dogs provide the greatest number of proven health benefits. Being able to touch, hear and feel pets makes pet-assisted therapy a very attractive intervention.

The love of a dog reaches into all generations and touches the hearts of many. No one can or should be immune to their unconditional love. It is imperative that pre-seniors are informed about these findings because this crucial information will impact their aging.