Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dogs and Mental Health | Have you ever thought about why petting a dog or cat invokes feelings of pure happiness? Whether you spot them at a park or a bus stop, there is something about dogs that make us want to stop, give them scratches, and maybe even play with them.

Even though dog owners would agree taking care of a pet dog may be difficult, it is still one of the most rewarding experiences. No matter how tired, angry or disgruntled you are, your dog curling up beside you at the end of the day takes all your worries away.

If you feel that way, then it is correct. Even science backs up the connection between dogs and people’s mental well-being.

You don’t need science to validate your love for your furry friend. However, it is always good to know why having a pet dog is one of the best decisions you can make for your mental health. So, if you want to convince a friend or a family member to get a dog, show them this list.

How Do Dogs Support Mental Health?

1. Mood regulator

Several studies show that spending time with a pet dog helps regulate mood. For example, one study suggested that university students experience reduced anxiety and improved mood when interacting with house-trained dogs.

Our mood and emotional well-being are controlled by the hormones our bodies release. Interacting with a dog may spike in many feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, endorphins, and even serotonin. Moreover, dogs can help with relieving stress and anxiety by reducing glucocorticoid, which is a stress hormone.

2. Provide entertainment

If you want entertainment, and that too for free, then your pet dog can do precisely this. Whether it is your furry friend’s nonsensical activities or their curiosity, there is no doubt you will have a minute of boredom on your hands. Not only this, but they can provide you with a much-needed distraction from all your daily worries, ensuring healthy mental health and subsequently emotional well-being.

3. Get you on your toes

An effective way to regulate our mental health is by working out. An hour’s play of catch with your dog or just a mild run in the park with your furry friend can be a great way to exercise. Not only do you have your dog to keep you company, but it is proven that a good sweat session can elevate mood. In addition, it can help reduce the risk of high cholesterol and heart attack while building immunity. Moreover, your dog may even force you to spend time in nature, which is another excellent way to feel refreshed.

4. Increase socialization

Studies show that a pet dog helps in forging connections. This is because when you take your pet dog to a vet, a park, or you stand in the aisle looking for its favorite food, you are bound to make conversation with other dog owners. This is an effective and subtle way for someone to make connections and friendships, which may be otherwise difficult for someone struggling with their mental health.

5. Ensure responsibility

One way to ensure that our mental health is fit is when we effectively take responsibility for others. It shows mental strength and proactiveness. Hence, getting a pet dog is a good decision if you want someone to push you on your bad days. This is because pet dogs require attention and care along with training. These things take time, and therefore they are a big responsibility for pet owners.

6. Loyal companionship

Anyone who struggled with their mental health needs support and companionship. Often, our families and friends can only do so much because they are busy with their lives. In such a scenario, a pet dog can prove to be a wonderful companion. They can ward off loneliness and ensure we have someone to depend on, especially on a bad day.

7. Give a sense of purpose

One issue people with declining mental health go through is having no sense of purpose. Usually, this means there is nothing for them to look forward to or get excited about. One of the ways a pet dog can help is by providing its owners with purpose and direction. Giving it food, taking it out on a walk, or getting their vet appointment are some things that push dog owners to take the initiative. Not only this but keeping a pet dog at home may also excite dog owners to look forward to something after a hectic day.

8. Dogs as therapists

Therapy dogs are increasingly gaining popularity as one form of mental health therapy. They can provide comfort and support to people who are not doing well mentally. Depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some mental health problems that therapy dogs are trained to tackle. You can usually find therapy dogs in hospitals, hospices, and even retirement homes. Using touch, play and even sound, therapy dogs can help one’s mental and emotional well-being.

9. Push you to build a routine

Following a routine is a rewarding way to ensure good mental health. Usually, it indicates consistency and the ability to get things done on time. However, if someone is in a dark place mentally, they may be unable to keep up with tasks. Having a pet dog may push a person to build a routine that may involve taking time out for your dog. Getting its food, taking it for a walk or vaccination, and even a dog groomer may positively impact routine building.

While all these reasons are compelling enough to have a pet dog, it is always good to seek professional help if you’re dealing with mental health issues.

Bottom Line

These are just some of the ways dogs support us when we are feeling sad and depressed. There are many more ways they can help without us knowing. While it is true they demand care and may even tire you out, it is worth all the love, loyalty, and attention you will receive from your dog.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.