Dogs seem to make us healthier than we would be without them.
Social psychologist Bruce Headey conducted a survey of Australian dog-owners and found that they take fewer trips to the doctor and sleep better than non-dog-owners.
It’s not that dog-owners are naturally healthier; bringing a dog into your life somehow brings these benefits along.
James Serpell, a professor of animal ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, conducted a study in the U.K. that followed pet owners through the 10 months after they adopted their pet.
Their scores on measures of general health also improved, and dog-owners increased their physical activity considerably.
Persons:
Bruce Headey, James Serpell
Organizations:
University of Pennsylvania