The benefits of pet ownership

Posted 7th November 2008

A dog welfare charity is calling on GPs to prescribe the benefits of dog ownership to their patients:

The Dogs Trust says it can prove that dogs are good for their owners' health.
The charity compiled independent academic research from around the world to highlight nine areas in owning or which interacting with a dog can improve people's wellbeing.
The trust launched the Canine Charter for Human Health to detail the benefits for doctors.
Trust chief executive, Clarissa Baldwin, said: "Dogs Trust has always promoted the benefits of owning a dog, but it is clear to see that there is also strong academic support to show that there are serious health benefits as well.
"Many dog owners are already aware of many of the benefits their dogs bring, but we want to take the message out further to the wider population."
The charity will be distributing copies of the charter to GPs, counsellors and therapists for them to explain or display to the public.
Channel 4's Dr Christian Jessen said: "I would ask that all GPs be aware of the importance of animals in promoting human health and happiness and call on them to proactively inform their patients of the diverse ways in which dogs can improve our lives."
In a supporting survey of 1,000 UK individuals, 80% of dog owners and 61% of non-dog owners agreed a daily dose of dog can help reduce stress or blood pressure.
About 95% of dog owners and 88% of non-dog owners believe that owning a dog increases the amount of exercise that you do.
The Dogs Trust will be delivering a copy of the charter Health Secretary Alan Johnson and asking for his support in the promotion of the health benefits of owning a dog.

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