Health

Heal Yourself Doggy Style

By Joe Kita; Photographs by Sasha Waldman


Dr. Walker, a fourth-year resident at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, steps off the elevator and begins his rounds.

 

His patients this evening are all post-op, recovering from prostate surgery, a hip replacement, and a broken leg. Nothing he can't handle. Dr. Walker stops at the nurses' station first. He's young, single, and handsome, with sleek black hair and dark eyes, so they always enjoy seeing him. He flirts with them all and gooses one in particular. She blushes, giggles, and gives him a friendly pat in return.

Dr. Walker pads off down the hall and enters Room 954. He senses immediately that this patient is depressed: Leon Slater, 73, vital signs stable, on 50 milligrams of Demerol, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He sits down beside the bed, shakes hands, and calmly listens. It's obvious that Dr. Walker makes the man feel comfortable and cared for. It's a subtle talent that not all physicians learn in medical school. Before leaving, Dr. Walker rewards himself by snagging a cookie off the dinner tray.

Room 958: Florence Velasquez, 86, recovering from a hip replacement. This frail old lady visibly brightens at the sight of Dr. Walker. She hugs him tightly and tousles the hair on his head. "Thanks so much for coming," she says.

Room 962: Nicky Antol, age 11, compound fracture of the tibia, being held for observation. Dr. Walker loves kids. In fact, he's perfected a trick that never fails to make them laugh. He lies down on the floor, and when Nicky yells "Bang!" he lolls his tongue, rolls over, and plays dead.

In case you haven't guessed, Walker is a dog—a four-year-old Labrador retriever. But it's not an exaggeration to call him a doctor. He is a service animal, specially trained and certified by Therapy Dogs International. Accompanied by his owner, Mike Pennella, he visits local hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. He doesn't accept medical insurance, just Alpo Snaps. And he's a volunteer.

"The evidence favoring the health value of pets is so compelling," says Larry Dossey, MD, author of Reinventing Medicine, "that if pet therapy were a pill, we would not be able to manufacture it fast enough."

James Rising, MD, DVM, a physician and veterinarian, goes as far as to prescribe dogs for some of his patients. "I'll write an actual prescription," he says. "‘Take one dog and love it every day.' Then I'll tell them to go to the animal shelter and have it filled. In some cases, these dogs have been so effective, patients have been able to throw away their medications."

 

Here are 12 ways a dog can help you live to 600 or even 700 (in dog years, of course).


Dogs relate to people in a way we can't relate to one another. They're non-judgmental. They're loyal.

Drop blood pressure: Dog owners generally display lower systolic blood pressure than nonowners. In fact, petting a dog lowers blood pressure almost immediately. Just watch out when your broker brings in his mastiff.

Decrease heart rate: When you're petting a familiar dog, your heartbeat slows, your breathing regularizes, and muscle tension eases. In fact, the relaxation effect is equivalent to that of sitting quietly and reading.

Lower cholesterol and triglycerides: High blood levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides mean you have an elevated chance of developing heart disease. Dog owners have lower levels of both.

Temper reaction to stress: In a recent study involving stockbrokers, researchers found that those who owned dogs handled stressful situations better. As a test, the brokers had to calm a furious client who had lost more than half of his investment. Those with pets experienced only half the rise in blood pressure their petless counterparts did.

Counter depression: The companionship and entertainment provided by a dog lessen feelings of sadness and pessimism. Fifty-two percent of male pet owners confess to having sung to or danced with their dogs.

Minister to wounds: If you scrape a knee, a dog may instinctively lick the wound to clean it. According to Dr. Rising, dog saliva typically contains less bacteria than human spit, so he's trying to do you a favor.

Boost immunity: One study found that new dog owners had significantly fewer minor health problems than nonowners in the 10 months after getting their pups.

Survive a heart attack: Researchers tracked 92 men in the year following their first heart attacks. The second-biggest predictor of survival (after degree of heart damage) was pet ownership. It outranked all other physical, social, and economic variables.

Make new friends: Dogs help withdrawn people find the courage to speak up. In fact, a recent study found that dogs still managed to make friends for owners who were deliberately made to look unattractive. Friendship and social support both play important roles in preserving health.

Discourage separation: Couples who own dogs have closer relationships, are more satisfied in their marriages, and respond better to stress. See, blaming the dog works for everything.

Keep parents from moving in: Buy your folks a dog and you'll lessen the chance that their physical and mental health will deteriorate to the point where they need constant care. In a study of 1,000 seniors living independently, researchers found that those with pets were more physically active, more involved in daily life, and in possession of a greater sense of purpose and responsibility.

Promote exercise and weight loss: Because dogs need walking and lots of playful attention, they naturally encourage physical activity among their owners. They're hairy personal trainers. Being fit and lean is a proven deterrent to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other health problems.

So how can dogs accomplish all this? What makes them more effective as doctors than even our most gifted specialists?

"The secret," says Dr. Rising, "is unconditional love. Dogs relate to people in a way we can't relate to one another. They're nonjudgmental. They're loyal. And this kind of unfettered acceptance carries a certain healing power."

In order to enjoy the full health benefits of owning a dog, however, you have to return its affection. In other words, it's not enough to just buy a hound and keep it around the house like a lava lamp. Any healthful blessings that will accrue are proportional to your level of commitment to the dog. Just as a religious man's faith is what gives him strength, so it is with man's best friend.

His evening rounds complete, Dr. Walker stops by the nurses' station one last time.

"Oh, come here and give me a big kiss, you cute thing," coos one of the prettier RN's, no longer able to resist him.

With his head cradled against her chest, Walker closes his eyes and licks his lips.
 

 

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