Monday, January 22, 2007

Dog-owners 'lead healthier lives'

If you want to live a healthier life get a dog, research suggests.

A psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

"The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."

Dr June McNicholas, a health psychologist who has specialised on research into the health effects of pet ownership said that an important reason for the improved health of dog-owners was not just the exercise received while taking it for walks, but the opportunity for social contact with other dog-owners.

"In some cases, the social support offered by an animal is greater than the support than another human could offer."

Read the full article here>>

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