Owning a dog can provide many benefits to one's health and well-being. Dogs have been shown to increase oxytocin levels in humans, strengthening social bonds and relationships. They can also help cure depression and PTSD in veterans by providing comfort. Additionally, dogs' keen sense of smell allows them to detect potential allergens and low blood sugar in their owners. Regular exposure to dogs may also help build children's immune systems by raising their contact with dirt.

1. Why you should own a dog
Robert Ram
MW 9-10:15am

2. Happier Life
People who have strong connections with their
pets also have stronger social and relationship
benefits. Also, those who are attached t dogs
as a young-adult, have higher confidence
levels and are more caring.
source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03
/pet-social-connectedness-young-adult_
n_4703790.html

3. Happier Life
● Oxytocin: feeling happy or euphoric
● Dogs raise human’s Oxytocin levels
● Connecting with pets, increases
relationships.

4. No More Depression
“Paws for Purple Heart” is an organization
that pairs a combat veteran with a dog.
Science has shown that the dog helps cure
soldier's depression, PTSD, after returning
from war. One study, an army veteran could
not hug his kids or his wife after coming home.
The dog helped him be more comfortable
around his family.

5. Dogs Protect Against Allergies
Dogs can smell the slightest amount of
peanuts in a room. In Texas, a boy had such a
severe peanut allergy, he had to be monitored
24/7. Remy, a peanut detecting dog, keeps
him and his family at ease because his sense
of smell can detect a hint of peanuts before
the boy is exposed to it.

6. Dogs can Detect Low Blood Pressure
Dogs can also use their sense of smell to
detect low blood pressure in their owner(s), if
properly trained. The trained dog will use a
sign they learned to alert their owner that
his/her blood pressure is running dangerously
low, before the owner can sense it
themselves.

7. Keeping Babies Dirty and Healthy
Babies who are exposed to dogs on a regular
basis, or live in a household that has a dog,
have reported to have fewer symptoms such
as fevers, coughing, running noses, and ear
infections when compared to babies who do
not live with a dog. Dogs carry mud and dirt
around, raising the child's immune system.

8. Dogs are Healers
When a dog licks “kisses” you, although it’s
smelly and nasty, it has benefits. Studies have
shown that where a dog licks itself or someone
else, it stimulates blood, nerves, muscles, and
oxygen in that location. Dogs saliva on your
wounds or its own wounds, actually stimulate
the process to heal that wound.

9. Dogs are Natural Bodyguards
Why do you think Law Enforcement Agencies,
both federal and state, and the military use
dogs on a daily basis? Dogs are naturally
fierce, and they are great protectors. Studies
have shown that just having a dog in or around
your house deters criminals. Who needs a
security system? Buy a dog!

10. A Friend in Need
Dogs are used as a therapy method for
children and young-adults suffering from
autism. Those who have autism find the world
very stressful, and only dogs can understand
them. Cortisol (the stress hormone) is
dramatically reduced in those who have a dog
in their household.

11. They are Cute!
The number 1 reason to own a dog is because
they are adorable and they are natural lovers!

12. https://www.google.com/search?q=why+you+
should&oq=why+you+should&aqs=chrome..69i
57.54608j0j1&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie
=UTF-8#q=why+you+should+own+a+dog
http://news.distractify.com/geek/science/re
asons-you-absolutely-need-a-dog-in-your-life/

13. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/
dog-health-benefits_n_4683351.html
http://list25.com/25-reasons-why-you-should-consider-
owning-a-dog/