By Jennifer Frost
Dogs are a man’s best friend, and this is particularly true for seniors. If you’re retired or soon-to-be retired, a dog can help you enjoy your golden years to the fullest. Dogs keep you fit, healthy, happy, and may even extend your lifespan. A study in Scientific Reports found people who lived alone with a dog had a 33% reduced risk of death, and an 11% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, than people who lived alone without a dog. As long as you’re in good health, able to care for a furry companion, and financially stable, getting a dog in retirement is one of the best things you can do.
Keeps you active
It’s recommended seniors over sixty five walk for at least thirty minutes a day. With a dog, you’ll have no excuse not to go out on daily walks. Moreover, simply sitting and petting a dog has been proven to benefit health in a myriad of other ways, including, improving relaxation, speeding up recovery after illness, and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In one study, five to fifteen minutes of animal therapy each day was found to decrease the need for oral pain medication among patients recovering from joint-replacement surgery by 28%.
New friends and interests
As we get older, loneliness can become an issue. But with a dog, you’ll have constant companionship — you can even travel with smaller breeds. Having a dog also helps you meet new people. You can get chatting to fellow dog owners on walks or at the local dog park — and you already have the perfect conversation starter! And you may even want to get involved in charitable activities like cleaning up your local park or letting your dog visit hospital patients.
Things to consider
You must be prepared for all the responsibilities that come with a dog. That includes regular health checkups at the vet, grooming, feeding a high-quality diet, and keeping him engaged at home. You’ll also need to take precautions to keep ticks and other pests off your dog in summer months. Moreover, it’s essential to have a contingency plan. For example, your attorney can write up documents stating who should look after your dog if you ever become unable to do so. Animal shelters also run “seniors for seniors” programs, which have a return guarantee. They’ll take the dog back if you become incapacitated.
Ultimately, having a dog is a big commitment. It’ll provide you with a valuable sense of purpose which can often be missing once you stop working. You’ll soon find out you need your dog as much as he needs you.
