Get A New Leash on Life

We’ve known for a long time that a dog is man’s best friend. We just didn’t know how good a friend. Owning a dog can:

• Ward off depression

• Make you less stressed

• Promote exercise

One study in China even found that dog owners took fewer sick days off from work and had to go to the doctor less often. How does owning a dog provide those remarkable health benefits? Well, a dog provides companionship, love, a need for exercise, energy, laughter (yours), and interaction with the world and with other people. Scientists have even found that the simple act of petting a dog lowers stress levels. Finally, a dog is also just pure fun. Doesn't that sound like the kind of relationship we all want?

Dogs can be valuable helpers in certain circumstances. Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, Senior Director, ASPCA Counseling Services, and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on all aspects of the human-animal bond, spoke about balance dogs. A balance dog is what its name implies. It can help balance you if you’re feeling a little unsteady. A good balance dog can do even more than that. In can help you get out of bed in the morning, pick up dropped items from the floor, open doors with a special device, and turn on and off lights. A balance dog is normally a larger dog, such as a Great Dane, Golden Retriever or Lab.

Dr. Lafarge strongly believes that any balance dog should be trained: “One reason is that when that dog is formally declared a service dog, it can go with you anywhere—on the bus, in the subway, on airplanes. You don’t want to abuse that privilege.” She says that training needn’t be expensive or complicated.