Dogs have been helping humans and interacting with humans since they were first domesticated – thought to be 32,000 to 33,000 years ago according to a few studies (theatlantic.com).
Some of the first domesticated dogs probably helped hunter and gatherer tribes and civilisations.
So, dogs get some credit for existing and being a part of humans’ lives and helping with various tasks throughout modern history.
In this guide, we look at all the current day Ways Dogs help humans and society.
(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)
The Different Ways Dogs Help Humans & Society
Regular Pet Dogs
There’s hundreds of studies and reports that show that regular pet dogs can have a range of physical and mental/psychological benefits for people.
Some of these benefits might include:
- Boosting mood and lowering stress hormones like cortisol
- Helping the owner get exercise via walks, which helps with things like blood pressure, heart health, and so on
- Ease depression
- Talk to and make connections with other dog owners – improve social life
- Develop better life meaning and purpose
- Be there for support and company when we are single, when we lose someone, or we lose something in our lives
Service Dogs
There are many different types of service dogs such as guide dogs, hearing dogs, seizure alert and response dogs, and more.
Service dogs provide some key help for people with mental and physical disabilities and limitations, and help them live a higher quality of life or perform activities they couldn’t without a dog.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs can be either just therapy dogs, or can also be both a therapy and a service dog at the same time.
Therapy dogs can be used in mental and physical therapy and recovery, across a range of settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, private facilities, and so on.
They can help with things such as comfort and support.
Working Dogs
Working dogs have been used all throughout human history.
There is a whole long list of different types of working dogs:
- Police
- Military
- Detection
- Search and rescue
- Herding and farm dogs
- Guard and security
- Sled
- and more
Working dogs not only help their owners, but they help carry out tasks that are critical to society on farms, for various types of safety, and so on.
Sources
1. https://thedailyshep.com/11-different-types-of-service-assistance-dogs/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_dog
3. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/06/the-origin-of-dogs/484976/
4. https://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-improve-your-health
5. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2019/08/08/dogs-important-humans/
6. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-10-health-benefits-of-dogs-and-one-health-risk_n_57dad1b8e4b04a1497b2f5a0
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