Can a dog help you live longer?

October 4, 2024 by Stillwaters Heritage Farm

My Grandma and Grandpa lived into their late 90's.  In fact, my Grandpa was just 4 months from celebrating his 100th birthday. Grandpa had a poodle as long as I can remember.  When Grandma was ill with Dementia, the family cared for her at home until she passed away.  Those were stressful years for my Grandpa as he saw her decline, but he always had his "little doggie," as he called him, right up there beside him.  I often thought that it was that little doggie that kept him going.

After some research, I found that in 2004, University of Missouri-Columbia scientists found that human blood pressure dropped by approximately 10% around 15 to 30 minutes after petting a dog.  It is said that, "Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax."  

Maybe that's why it feels so relaxing to just sit on the front porch with one of our dogs beside me or a puppy to cuddle!

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