Ciro Stefano serves Vets2Industry as the Director of Executive Engagement and an Advisory Board member. He is also the Principal Advisor to the Adjutant General of the New York Army National Guard. As a retired US Army officer, Ciro Stefano enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and pet dogs.
The adage “man’s best friend” is true because of the company dogs provide. Scientific studies have found that spending time with pet dogs is beneficial to both mental and physical health.
Dogs are good companions for daily exercise. A study published in The Gerontologist, a journal of The Gerontological Society of America, studied the connection between dog walking and the health of older adults. According to the study, dog owners who regularly walk their dogs have a lower body mass index and fewer doctor visits.
Petting a dog may also relieve depression and anxiety. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, playing with dogs stimulates the production of oxytocin and dopamine, which are responsible for a positive mindset.
Another study found that petting a dog before a college exam energizes students’ minds and reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. Scientists also link dog companionship to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, though the exact reason for this is yet to be established by researchers.
