Our firm is known for many things; a paperless environment, a great work-life balance, and a canal-side building being a few. What we are most well-known for, though, is our dog-friendly office! We know how important our furry friends are to our staff – particularly post-pandemic – and so, we encourage staff to bring their pets to work with them. The result? Happier staff and a lively workplace!
That’s because pets aren’t just great company – they’re good for your wellbeing, social life and physical health. Read on for an explainer of why Leman Likes Pets…
1 Having a pet helps keep you fit!
It could be frequent trips outside or long runs and walks with your animal, but either way, moving with a pet increases physical activity. According to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, walking dogs has further been shown to promote engagement in and adherence to regular physical activity. And, getting exercise with your pet is free. So walk the dog – this is your reminder!
2 Did you know keeping a pet improves your discipline habits?
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that teenagers with diabetes managed their disease better if they were put in charge of caring for a fish, than teenagers without a pet to care for. The reason for the study was that teens are a patient population known for not adhering to medical regimens. But when tasked with the discipline of keeping an animal on a feeding schedule, the teens more regularly and consistently, checked their own blood glucose levels.
3 Pets make you less likely to develop allergies.
Research in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology contends that having a dog in infancy can improve a child’s overall immune system, as well as reduce allergies. In fact, it was found that having a pet in the home can decrease a child’s likelihood of developing allergies (related to their home) by 33%. It’s believed that the dander in pet hair might serve as a natural immunotherapy for babies and children. And that means a stronger immune system, and likely less missed days of school.
4 Pets can soothe the stressful consequences of Alzheimer’s for sufferers. Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained, docile animal can help soothe an Alzheimer’s patient and decrease aggressive behavior—as can simply being exposed to bright aquariums or fish tanks.
5 Pets can help children with attention issues in the classroom. A study found that children with autism spectrum disorder were calmer while playing with guinea pigs in the classroom. When the children spent 10 minutes in a supervised group playtime with guinea pigs, their anxiety levels dropped. The children also had better social interactions and were more engaged with their peers. Dogs may also aid in the classroom – one study found that dogs can help children with ADHD focus their attention. Researchers enrolled two groups of children diagnosed with ADHD into 12-week group therapy sessions. The first group of kids read to a therapy dog once a week for 30 minutes. The second group read to puppets that looked like dogs. The kids who read to the real animals showed better social skills and more sharing, cooperation, and volunteering.
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