I might be a tad biased, but you really can’t go wrong with a pet. I am here to tell you why you need a furry friend in your life. Yes, I said need.

Mental illness plagues a large percentage of the global population. Luckily for you, there is an adorable fix. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Dogs can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health. For example, people with dogs have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease—just playing with dogs has been shown to elevate oxytocin and dopamine, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.”

Here are a few of my personal reasons why I believe everyone needs a puppy:

Comfort

You’re never truly alone when you have a dog. If you decide to stay in on Friday night to binge-watch shows, your dog is going to be right there next to you. If you had a horrible day and just want to come home and cry, your dog will be right there at your side trying to help. Many studies show that dogs have an intuition to know when you are sick, hurt, or sad. Why do you think there are such things as therapy dogs?

Unconditional Love

Who is the first person to greet you at the door with excitement and kisses? That’s right, the dog that you left at home alone all day. You truly can do no wrong with a dog. They don’t understand what it means to be angry or hold a grudge. A feeling of belongingness and love with no conditions is something every person longs for.

Staying Active

Dogs are a good motivator to keep you moving. They need daily exercise such as walking and throwing the ball. This is great motivation to get outside and keep yourself active. Even if you take them on a walk for ten minutes after dinner, it’s better than nothing. Exercise is a huge factor in mental health because it increases endorphins.

In my experience, if you beg your parents to get a furry friend for long enough, they eventually have to cave in. I understand that in some cases, getting a dog is unrealistic. They are expensive and a large responsibility. If that’s the case, there are options such as volunteering at an animal shelter, fostering a puppy, or even being a dog walker or dog sitter. Either way, even spending a small amount of time with a dog can make you happy, and you can make them happy too.

Find your furry friend and

Be Well, Auburn.