As winter approaches and outdoor experiences close, staying safe at home has become even more important. Families might be curious if now is it the right time to add a dog to the family. We’re here to tell you that there has never been a better time, especially with additional hours at home! Besides the added cuteness, here are some reasons why you should adopt a dog now:
Companionship
Dreaming of new friends and connections during current social distancing measures? Bringing a dog into your household is the perfect long-term solution. For individuals, a dog will be the perfect partner-in-crime. From watching movies on the couch to sleeping at night, your new friend will never get enough of you and always provide that unconditional love that made dogs famous.
For those families out there, your kids will have a new best friend. All members of the family will love the backyard fetch games, cuddle sessions, and the smiling face you get after saying "good dog. Even while out of the house, you are able to feel a close connection to your furry family member. Since modern technology means being able to check on your pet from everywhere, the unconditional love and smiles can continue from anywhere you have phone service.
Stress Relief
There’s no doubt that 9 months of being at home has caused stress and/or anxiety. The good news is that dogs are proven to help reduce your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) [1]! In a study done by HABRI, 74% of pet owners have reported mental health improvements after welcoming new pets into their family [2]. Dr. Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, describes how, for humans, we have to learn compassion and how to pay attention to one another. For dogs that just their instincts [1]. If you're having a rough day, your pet will be there for you to help destress when they sense a mood change. By bringing a dog into your home (especially now), you can bet on stress relief, decreased anxiety, and a special bond for life.
Exercise
Gyms are closing and the weather is getting cooler. Never fear, your pup can help you create a daily exercise routine! NPR reports that, on average, walking your dog leads to 22 minutes more of exercise per day [3].
From walks to runs, and even games of tug-of-war, 54% of pet owners reported physical health improvements from added movement during their days [3]. Not only are you getting exercise, the study shows that most walks are at a moderate speed that increases the heart rate. Regularly increasing your heart rate like this can lower your chance of high blood pressure and other health conditions. While dog owners meet the Center for Disease Control recommended weekly exercise goal (150 minutes), the average non-dog owner in American gets only 50% of that [3]. We know the struggle after a long meeting or busy day at work to have the motivation to get up and exercise. Since exercise is a requirement of your new companion, you have no option but to get up and go with your pup. Once you get moving, you’ll thank them!
Finding Your New Friend
So, you've made your decision, a dog is joining the family. The question now is, where can you adopt? Thankfully, there are many resources online that help you locate your new best friend. Out of the thousands of websites available, here are a few of the ways you can search for dogs that need a home. In addition, make sure to check out your local rescues and animal shelters. We can't wait to see everyone's fluffy friend (or friends)!
Petfinder
Adopt a Pet
https://www.adoptapet.com/dog-adoption
ASPCA
https://www.aspca.org/adopt-pet/adoptable-dogs-your-local-shelter
Sources
[1] https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
[2] https://habri.org/2016-pet-owners-survey
