Amidst the storage units, bedroom décor, furniture, dishes and other miscellaneous supplies I packed before heading back to Muncie, the most precious thing I brought with me to school was my one-year-old dog, Kya.
From her big blue eyes to her warm, loving heart, the 80-pound canine has taught me many valuable life lessons. Having spent the last year raising her from a puppy, I’ve come to appreciate her welcoming gestures when I return from class, the endless supply of kisses and the big heart that makes her the best companion I’ve ever called my own.
Humans are often bitter and deceitful, whereas dogs do not know hatred or resentment. They are trusting, accepting and forgiving. They are understanding, loyal and unconditionally loving. They don’t hold grudges or spread rumors. They don’t lie, cheat or steal. They aren’t envious, and still, they answer to us. It seems a little backwards, but perhaps we, as people, should take this to heart and learn a little something from our canine friends.
Aside from the life lessons that dogs provide, studies show that they also contribute to healthy human lives.
Dogs assist their owners in leading more active lifestyles. By insisting to be outside, dogs are pulling people away from encompassing televisions, computers and video games that would otherwise consume their lives. Being out in the sun, taking long, leisurely walks and even throwing around a Frisbee in a park can improve the all-around wellness of pet owners.
“I take Bosley on walks, and it is great exercise for me,” sophomore and dog-owner Valerie Gerow said. “It makes him happy to walk, and I wouldn’t take as many walks if I didn’t have him.”
However, the services dogs provide go far beyond playing fetch outside; they have been known to do great things for humans.
Years of research have proven that dogs have positive effects on human health, especially in stressful situations. Risk of such health concerns as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased stress levels can be decreased by simply owning a pet, according to Warwick P. Anderson’s 1992 article “Pet ownership and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease.”
Pet therapy has helped millions of people in nursing homes, hospitals and especially in children’s centers.
Dogs or cats have even been adopted to live in assisted-living facilities to help the residents and raise their spirits each day. Dogs have also been used to help people who suffer from autism become more sociable. It’s amazing what dogs can do, yet they remain so humble.
Service dogs lead the blind, assist the deaf and even alert owners with epilepsy that a seizure is underway. They’ve saved many lives by warning of oncoming seizures so that the owners can sit down in safe places to avoid any serious injury during the seizure.
Dogs can turn lights on and off or retrieve objects for their owners, and they have even been known to pull wheelchairs for the handicapped. They have the capability to learn to do so many useful things, and all they ask for in return is to be loved.
So, while “fetch” and “shake” may seem unimpressive, just know that the greatest tricks dogs can do are not ones often rewarded with treats. Rather, they result in a much more fulfilling outcome: longer, happier lives.
Write to Whitney at
wlhoyt@gmail.com
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