The Health Benefits of Having a Dog

Home / Education / The Health Benefits of Having a Dog
Choose your content:

Dogs have long been known as man’s best friend, and for good reason. These loyal animals offer more than just companionship. They also provide a number of health benefits:

  • Exercise: Most dogs require daily walks which can improve the overall health of the owner, along with the dog.
  • Stress Relief: Studies have shown that just petting a dog reduces stress and cortisol levels exponentially, which in turn improves the owner’s mental health.
  • Social Benefits: Dogs make people more social and take the awkwardness out of situations. When you want to talk to someone, ask them about their dogs.
  • Improved Mood: Dogs provide companionship, lowering the risk of anxiety and depression. Studies have also shown dogs improve the mood of everyone in the household.
  • Accountability: Dogs teach responsibility, as they rely on you and keep you accountable.
  • Unconditional Love: Dogs can be great supporters for the children in the house, as they don’t judge and will listen to anything you tell them!
  • Protection: Dogs are built-in alarm systems and can help protect your home from unwanted guests.

Dogs truly have a unique way of enhancing our overall health and happiness.

Additional News

Jonathon Maple and Sheri Brougher

MMH Foundation’s Jonathon Maple Named to National 40 Under 40 List

Jonathon Maple, Executive Director of the Margaret Mary Health Foundation, has been named a 2026 40 Under 40 honoree by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). The national award recognizes ...

Learn more
Man having a stroke

Stroke awareness

Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot signs of a stroke and know when to call 911. What is a stroke A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part ...

Learn more
MMH Mammograms

I feel fine. Do I really need a mammogram?

Breast cancer screening can be easy to put off—especially when you feel healthy and haven’t noticed any changes. But that’s exactly when screening is designed to help. Mammograms can detect ...

Learn more