Science backs what dog owners knew all along - having a furry friend is good for your health.

“You do not own a dog. You have a dog. And the dog has you.” Chelsea Handler

Furry friends add immeasurably to our lives, and science is catching on. In these challenging times (and let’s be honest, at all times), a pet offers companionship, distraction, and even a reason to get up in the morning.

This goes, of course, for cats, birds, and pets of all stripes. I’m a universal animal lover - but I have a special place in my heart for my dogs. While I’m sure a goldfish has its charms, there’s a reason the dog is called (wo)man’s best friend. In fact, I have to restrain myself from filling my Instagram with an avalanche of photos of their everyday hilarity.

They keep me healthy, yes, but they also keep me laughing, no matter what’s going on in the world.

7 Reasons Dogs are Good for Your Health

1. Dogs Promote Socialization. If you have a dog, chances are you’re walking your dog. This offers a prime opportunity for chats with neighbours, other dog owners, and passersby. It also lends itself to friendship with like-minded individuals. All are immune boosting pastimes.

2. Dogs Provide a Sense of Purpose. The need to care for another being offers a reason — a sense of purpose — to get up and do what needs to be done. We feed them, walk them, care for them, and get truckloads of affection in return.

3. Dogs Bring Comfort. You can be having the worst day of your life, but your dog still greets you with a smiling face and a wagging tail. Dogs are well known therapy companions for this very reason. They’re widely used in the treatment of severe cases of PTSD, depression, and in victims of abuse. They’re equally widely employed in retirement homes to bring joy to the elderly.

4. Dogs Relieve Stress. Beyond providing comfort, a dog puts the everyday stresses of life into perspective. They make us laugh, prompt us out the door, and offer friendship.

5. Dogs Decrease Loneliness. In these times of physical disconnection, loneliness is becoming a health epidemic. Research shows that among the benefits of dog ownership is a sense of companionship and a sharp drop in feelings of loneliness.

6. Dogs Lead us to Nature. Having a dog often leads you to explore areas you normally wouldn’t… a walk in the woods, through a park, or on a beach. Exposure to nature has been shown to offer stress relief, boost your mood, decrease pain, and enhance creativity.

7. Dogs Get us Moving. Did you get your 10,000 steps today? A dog will help you with that! It can be gloomy outside, but you still have to take Rover for a walk. And most of the time, no matter the weather, you’re glad you did. With your furry companion by your side, it just may be the highlight of your day.

8. Dogs Make us Laugh. My dogs' goofiness, quirks, and misadventures are a source of everyday hilarity. They keep me healthy, yes, but they also keep me laughing, no matter what’s going on in the world.