We are mid-way through National Pet Week, which is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It’s a time set aside to celebrate the ways that pets enrich our lives and encourage responsible pet care every day of the year.

There are so many ways that pets enhance our lives. Here are just a few.

• During the coronavirus pandemic especially, pets provide companionship, consistency, and joy.
• Having a strong attachment to a pet makes people feel more connected to their communities and to their human relationships.
• When dogs and humans interact with one another they get a dose of oxytocin, a.k.a. the “cuddle hormone.”
• A review of studies by the American Heart Association found that dog ownership was associated with a 24% risk reduction for all-cause mortality as compared to non-ownership.
• Playing with or even just petting a dog lowers blood pressure, slows heart rate, regulates breathing and relaxes muscle tension.
• Dog owners are more likely to engage in moderate physical activity than non-dog owners. In fact, dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, while those without a dog walk 168 minutes per week on average.
• Having a canine companion in the home can be beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families, according to recent research.
• According to a recent study, toddlers from dog-owning families were 30% less likely to have conduct and peer problems compared to young children from families without a dog.
• Exposure to household dogs and cats in childhood has been linked to a reduced risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

The TurfMutt Foundation is a big proponent of pet rescue, and even hosts an annual pet adoption event called Lucky’s Mutt Madness every year. To learn more about TurfMutt’s mission, go to TurfMutt.com.