Question

Owning a dog is good for you. It is shown that owning a dog can lead to lower levels of stress in kids and adults, and lower blood pressure in children. Owning a dog also gets people out of the house more, a study revealed that older dog owners take 2,760 more steps per day than non-dog owners. Not only can dogs improve fitness and get you out of the house more, but they are also good for your heart, according to a comprehensive review of studies published between 1950 and 2019 dog owners are found with a lower risk of death. These main facts alone prove that owning a dog is good for you.

Answer 1

I agree with your claim that owning a dog is good for your health, and the points you mentioned are supported by strong evidence. A study from the American Heart Association confirms that dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and increased physical activity (AHA, 2019). This supports your point that dog owners walk more, which boosts cardiovascular health. Another reliable source, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that petting a dog can release stress-reducing hormones like oxytocin while lowering cortisol, a stress hormone. This supports your claim about dogs reducing stress in both kids and adults. The original claim is definitely true and backed by science. The sources you referenced are strong, especially the long-term review you mentioned, which adds credibility. The increased daily steps for older adults is a great example of how dogs improve fitness in a measurable way. It's also important that these benefits go beyond just physical health—dogs provide emotional support and companionship too. I looked into the studies you based your claim on, and they come from trustworthy organizations with a long history of health research.

American Heart Association. “Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.” Circulation, 2019. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1

National Institutes of Health. “The Power of Pets.” NIH News in Health, February 2018. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets

Comments

Nice work locating two sources!

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I strongly agree that owning a dog is good for people, with personal experience I can attest to this fact. I appreciate the facts and sources you provided; through your answer I learned that petting a dog can release stress-reducing hormones.

Answer 2

This statement is true. Dogs alone are very beneficial mentally and physically for humans. Dogs are known to promote healthy habits because of their energy that also helps humans get moving as well. According to the Mayo Health Clinic System website, they stated that a research study found that dog owners are more likely to report regular physical activity in comparison to those who don't own dogs. It is also mentioned in the article that people who regularly perform aerobic exercise have improved blood pressure, reduced blood sugar levels, better controlled weight and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This involves things such as walking, hiking, running, and other exercises that get the body moving. It is also said in the article that dogs are very good for the mental health aspect. The article mentions that in every 2 out of 3 employees are stressed out from work, and that 40% of employees allow work to get in the way of their health. Having a dog or any type of pet in the workplace or home, reduces stress and helps manage anxiety as well. Backing that article up, the American Heart Association also put out an article and it states how simply petting a dog decreases blood pressure. A dog also gives a companion to people who may be alone so that they don't feel alone which many people may feel if they are constantly stressing from work or other things in their life. The American Heart Association article also mentioned how having a dog helps people out of isolation because walking a dog promotes social interaction. Another important fact from the America Heart Association is that owning a dog may reduce your risk of dying from a stroke or a heart attack by 31%. 

Comments

I agree with this fact check. This person starts with a strong claim that "Dogs alone are very beneficial mentally and physically for humans." This encourages me as a reader to continue reading. This person also finds a credible source from the Mayo Health Clinic, a medical source that claims that dogs make humans more physically active. This supports the previous claim they made above. Not only this, they provide more evidence saying having a pet reduces stress and helps manage anxiety, as well as companionship which is also proven from the American Heart Association, another credible source. I like how this fact check touches on both the physical and emotional/mental side that having a pet affects. This adds to the depth of the argument, and makes me believe it that much more.

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Do you have source links? Strong fact-checks include in-text citations as well as URL source links. Thanks!

Answer 3

While I believe this claim is true that dogs are good for you due to the positive effects they have on our well-being, I think this claim is a bit opinionated or exaggerated because the website with information makes quite broad statements. For example, "Having a dog makes you more attractive." As I was going through the website, there were links that would take me to evidence-based sources, which helped solidify this claim. I also agree with the claims that dogs lower feelings of anxiety due to the way dogs are often used for therapy, but we can't generalize a group of people by saying everyone would individually benefit from dogs. While this is a personal essay, I think it gives the evidence to show that dogs may not be the best choice for everyone. 

https://www.waggel.co.uk/blog/post/puppies-arent-for-everyone    

Comments

I completely agree! This is the response I was thinking of and it didn't seem to be the first one I saw. Its seems as if its a broad claim as we cant say what works for some people will work for everyone. I also enjoyed your example and reasoning on the article from Waggle.

Answer 4

Yes, I 100% agree with this. Dogs are so good for so many aspects of life. After reading, it said that dog owners get almost 3,000 steps per day on average which leads to better overall physical health in the long run. I also went here to this: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2022/08/24/how-dogs-can-help-with-your-mental-health

In this article a recent study has shown that interacting with a therapy dog in the emergency room can help lessen pain and boost mood. Psychologist Jane Manno, PsyD, notes that being around animals can trigger the release of feel good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which helps reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Moreover, dogs offer emotional support by picking up on their owner's feelings and providing unconditional love, which can alleviate anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Dr. Manno sometimes suggests that patients dealing with mental health issues consider getting a dog. For those who can't have a dog, volunteering at animal shelters can provide similar emotional advantages. However, Dr. Manno emphasizes the importance of having the time and resources to care for a dog and make sure you're ready to take care of a dog.

Comments

This is a great factcheck, and I agree with the point of owning a dog is good for you. I appreciated the explanation of the psychological examination of what owning a dog does for your mental health. The link provided makes this answer stand out more than the others. I also found many articles supporting your claims about how owning a dog is good for the owner. The stress and less pain in a day to day life, along with many health benefits of staying active with walking their dog.

Sources in support:
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dogs-are-good-for-your-health

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This was a great response to this claim! The research you added was very scientific and ranged from many different topics from physical health, mental health benefits in stressful environments, and even a difference in individuals who work with dogs. All in all, it was very responsive and informative, the only thing I would add a bit more to for next time is touching on the original source used and taking that credibility into account with the analysis.

Answer 5

I agree, that dogs are good for humans. Having a dog comes with many benefits to people's physical and mental health. When you own a dog you're more likely to be in better shape as they force you to get up and walk them, play with them, and feed them. This increase in physical activity improves blood pressure, reduces stiff joints, and improves anxiety and depression. In a study, dog owners were more likely to have a healthier diet and less likely to be overweight than non-dog owners. Not only does owning a dog get you moving but it also increases social skills. When you own a dog you're more likely to interact with people as you go on walks or someone just stops you to look at your dogs, starting a conversation. Being social and having social connections is linked to having better mental health and reducing depression. Overall dogs are super beneficial for human health. You should look into getting a dog that's the right fit for you 

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dogs-are-good-for-your-health

Answer 6

This is true. The source used to make the claim above is credible as it is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improve canine health and well-being. Also, they get a lot of their information from dog owners. According to the Mayo Clinic Health Center, dogs get you out of your home and get you moving. Dogs require regular exercise and need to be outside which leads to the owner of the dog to get outside and exercise themselves as well. "People who regularly perform aerobic exercise have improved blood pressure, reduced blood sugar levels, better controlled weight and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease." To add on, dogs can improve your social connection to others. Since dog owners take frequent walks, they are more likely to interact with other people and be more social which is known to improve an individuals mental health. "Owning a dog has been linked to better mental health and a lower perception of social isolation, which can reduce the risk of heart attacks and cognitive issues." The Mayo Clinic is a very reliable source as it is a top hospital and research institution in the United States and their information is updated often to keep up with new discoveries.