About National Pet Day
Celebrated April 11th to highlight the unconditional love pets bring to our lives and to encourage adoption. It is a day to remind pet parents to make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and give them some extra love, of course.
National Pet Day was founded in 2006 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige, to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home in shelters and rescues all around the globe.
Starting with dogs thousands of years ago, people worldwide have kept a growing number of domesticated animals for pleasure and companionship.
Pets help keep you healthy
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Keeping Pets and People Healthy:
“There are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship. Most households in the United States have at least one pet.
“Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked to several health benefits, including:
- Decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.
- Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities; better cognitive function in older adults; and more opportunities to socialize.”
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