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Why Own A Dog?

December 5, 2016 by Mary Telesz

Why Own A DogBetween walking them, grooming them, cleaning up after them and feeding them, dogs are a lot of work — and they can be expensive. And yet there is something so incredible about owning a dog that overcomes all of the time and money pet owners put into them. Dogs bring love and affection to their humans, along with companionship and a host of other benefits.

Why Own A Dog?

At Paw Pals, we know firsthand the joys of dog ownership. For most of our staff and clients, dogs are more than just pets — they’re family! Perhaps you need some convincing as to why you should own a dog to counter the fear of inviting daily pet care responsibilities into your life. If so, read on to learn about just some of the good that comes from having a four-legged companion.

Dogs Improve Your Mood

Study after study has shown that dogs — unlike any other animal — can improve our mood and therefore our health. Dogs are incredibly intuitive animals, and crave attention and affection from their humans. They are fantastic at interpreting our emotional state, and providing support when we need it.

Having a dog can be a huge boost to your mental health for a variety of reasons. Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than people without pets. Playing with a dog can actually increase the levels of the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in our brains, giving us a sensation of calm, peace and happiness. Having a dog can help anyone who craves companionship or touch, easing loneliness for anyone who might otherwise feel all alone in their life. After all, it is hard to feel lonely or sad when a dog bounds up to greet you at the door — or to stay inside when your dog is prancing about, hoping for a walk. The therapeutic effects of interacting with dogs have been well-documented, especially with people who have experienced trauma.

While owning a dog is not a cure-all for mental health issues (which should be treated appropriately by a professional), dog ownership can boost your overall mood. Having a ready companion, a snuggle buddy and something that depends on you every day for food, affection and attention can be a great help — which is just one reason why having a dog is a great idea.

Dogs Improve Your Health

Along with your mood, dogs can improve your physical health. It makes sense: if you feel better overall, with lower levels of stress and anxiety, your health will improve as well. The research backs this up: people with dogs may experience positive health effects.

When you pet a dog, your stress and anxiety may immediately decrease— which tends to reduce your blood pressure. One study even showed that people with high blood pressure saw a decline in their borderline hypertension status within 5 months. That’s pretty powerful “medicine!” Pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol levels than people without pets, and visit the doctor less frequently (up to 30% less for people age 65 and older!). Dog owners also have a much greater rate of survival among heart attack patients.

One reason that dogs can make us healthier is because they require regular exercise, which means that their humans exercise alongside of them. Taking your dog out for a walk or run is a great way to exercise every day. A dog’s daily exercise needs help people to meet their health goals, forcing pet owners to get out of the house no matter what the weather is — and giving them an incentive to get in shape. It has been shown that dogs can help people lose weight, even without changing their diet. A daily walk can have a significant impact on your health — including lowering your weight.

Dogs also provide structure to your daily life, requiring you to be up and about every day to feed your dog, let him or her out, and take your dog for a walk. Having a regular routine is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle — and it is nearly impossible to stay in bed when your beloved pooch is staring at you with big eyes!

For the elderly, dogs can increase their longevity by giving them a purpose and helping them to connect with others. A dog encourages playfulness, laughter and exercise — each of which is a powerful way to boost your immune system and overall health. For patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, having a dog in the home can help reduce overall stress and emotional outbursts. Having a pet to stroke and hold can decrease anxiety and help to improve overall behavior, particularly for those patients who are unable to verbally communicate.

For kids, having a dog can help a child form healthy relationships, having a constant companion who is not critical and is always supportive. Dogs help kids to relax, giving them a source of calmness through petting and cuddling. They also provide a source of incredible happiness for kids. Children with challenges such as hyperactivity or aggression can be calmed by the presence of a dog, provided that both the child and the dog have been trained to behave properly around each other. Kids who grow up with pets have a lower risk of allergies and asthma. They tend to learn responsibility and compassion by caring for pets.

For kids with autism and other difficulties that may make it challenging to communicate, dogs can be a lifeline to the world around them. Many children who are unable to connect with their families and friends find themselves forming a strong bond with a dog, as the pet helps them to regulate their stress and calm themselves. A dog responds well to nonverbal communication, which can make a dog an ideal companion for a child who is unable to express him or herself verbally. A pet may ultimately help a child with autism communicate with people around him on her.

Dogs Help Us Connect

Beyond having a relationship with our pet, dogs help us connect with the world around us — including other people. Whether you walk your dog around the neighborhood, at a park or on a trail, you will get the chance to meet and talk to other people every time you venture outside with him or her.

When others see your dog — pet owners and non pet owners alike — they may be more inclined to stop and talk to you, or to ask to pet your dog. Fellow dog owners may want to arrange play dates with dogs, or ask for tips on the best vet, groomer or type of food. Because dogs force us to get out and about every single day, having a dog improves your chances of making connections with a diverse group of people — which is a major benefit to anyone!

Dogs Are Loyal Friends

There is no denying that there is something unique about the bond between a dog and his human. Dogs are incredibly loyal creatures who will stick by you through the ups and downs of life, giving you a constant companion and source of comfort and strength.

Dogs often know when we are happy or sad; they spend much of their lives observing their humans and can pick up on subtle and not-so-subtle cues that we are not feeling our best. This helps them to form a close bond with their owners. A dog may come put its head on your lap when you’re feeling down, or do something to make you laugh when you are sad. Using nonverbal communication, dogs will do what it takes to help you feel happy — and will stand by you no matter what.

Is A Dog Right For You?

While there can be no doubt that dogs bring enormous benefits to the lives of their owners, they are also a major responsibility and commitment. Do not buy or adopt a dog unless you know that you can dedicate significant time and attention to your dog — and unless you are willing to exert some effort (and spend some money) taking care of your dog.

Remember before getting a dog, that they require a lot of care. This can be a good thing, but it may put a damper on some of your plans, like going to happy hour after work or taking a last-minute trip. A dog means that you have to commit to daily exercise, lots of petting and mental stimulation. Dogs can also be destructive (intentionally or unintentionally!), so you will have to be OK with having the occasional chewed up shoe or accident on the carpet. They may also require a degree of training to be sure that they are safe to be around kids and other people, so you will have to be willing to commit to training your dog responsibly. Finally, keep in mind that dog ownership comes with certain costs: vet bills, medication, flea dips, vaccinations and pet food.

If you think that you are up for these challenges, a dog might be the right choice for you.

Finding Great Pet Care Near You

Every responsible pet owner needs options for taking care of their dog when they are out of town, at work or otherwise unable to provide love and attention to their dog. Pet care professionals can help meet these needs, providing pet sitting and dog walking services at a reasonable cost to help make sure that your dog is well cared for even when you are otherwise engaged. If you would like to know more about how Paw Pals can help you take care of your dog or other pet, contact us today!

Filed Under: Family Dog

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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