Proving dogs are good for your health
13 Nov 2008 08:07
DOGS Trust is continuing its campaign to prove that dogs are good for you by helping families improve their health – and matching them with a dog.
The charity got together with leading UK health and fitness expert Joanna Hall to spread the word that exercising with your dog for six weeks can have a positive impact on health, fitness and ‘family cohesion.’
The results of a walking programme launched by Dogs Trust and undertaken by seven families from West London were, the charity says, staggering. Each family was paired with a dog from one of Dogs Trust’s centres and given specific exercise tasks every week which had to be completed.
Results
The families reported back on a weekly basis, and took on further health tasks, tests and one-on-one updates.
The six-week trial revealed:
• A total of 90 per cent of the participants showed improvement in their lung capacity,
• 50 per cent of participants showed cardiovascular improvements,
• There was a combined loss of 105.5ins from their bodies and a combined weight loss of 25kg,
• Blood pressure levels improved;
• All the participants said they felt happier.
Dogs Trust’s chief executive Clarissa Baldwin said: “It’s been well documented that owning a dog is good for an individual’s health with fewer visits to the doctor, healthier children and more relaxed adults.
“We are delighted that the results from the campaign support this and that the programme has had such a positive impact on a family’s health and wellbeing.
“We’re also pleased that three of the families matched up with us for the programme have bonded with their canine companions and decided to give them a new home.
“We look forward to rolling out this campaign across more of our rehoming centres with other families next year.”
Joanna Hall said the programme had shown that exercising a dog can instigate positive change.
“The dogs are healthier and happier and have all been rehomed with the families,” she said.
“The families have seen noticeable improvements in their health, fitness, weight loss and happiness. Their journeys have been emotional but very rewarding for us all.”