Blog — Writer_Carrie_Pallardy

Can Dogs Help You Live Longer? Recent headlines about dogs’ potential to increase their human companions’ lifespan gained a lot of attention. Sure, we love our dogs, but what about those soulful eyes and fluffy tails help us to live longer? The study that sparked all those headlines focuses specifically on our hearts.   Heart Health Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death, which makes our heart’s a major focus for our overall health and longevity. A study published in the Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes journal found that owning a dog decreases a person’s cardiovascular risk....

Emotional Support Dogs vs. Service Dogs A peacock, a hamster, dogs, and cats: all manner of animals have been called emotional support animals (ESAs). A flurry of news stories about airlines cracking down on emotional support animal flight rules has called attention to ESAs. What does it take for an animal to be an official ESA? What differentiates an emotional support dog and a service dog? Emotional Support Dogs Emotional support dogs provide comfort to individuals with different emotional and mental conditions, according to the United States Dog Registry. Emotional support dogs can help people with conditions such as anxiety,...

How to Socialize Dogs and Children Dogs and kids can be a really big part of life, but if the two don’t know how to get along the fur can really fly. Whether you are bringing home a newborn baby to a household with a dog or introducing a puppy to a household full of kids, it is important to prepare everyone. Socializing your dog and teaching your kids how to behave around dogs will help them interact safely and build a lasting bond. Introducing a New Puppy at Home Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience, but...

Becoming Man’s Best Friend: The Story of Dog Evolution It is hard to imagine life without dogs. Pet owners know just how integrated they become in daily experience. But, thousands of years ago, the dog and human relationship wasn’t what it is today. How did dogs evolve to become the pets we know and love?   Wolfish Beginnings It is commonly accepted that modern, domesticated dogs are the descendants of wolves, but nailing down the exact timeline gets a little hairy. Estimates of domestication can range from 10,000 to 30,000 years ago, according to The Atlantic. Other sources say 20,000...

Preparing for Your Dog’s Annual Vet Visit Dogs may live a simple life, but they need routine healthcare just like people. Once you get past the multiple visits necessary in the first year of a puppy’s life, you can expect routine annual vet appointments for a healthy dog. What should you expect during these annual visits? The Cost Owning a dog means having a constant companion, but it is also a financial commitment. Food, toys, grooming, and veterinary visits all add up over the course of the dog’s lifetime. The American Kennel Club estimates the cost of dog ownership at...