Golden Retriever (Detailed Introduction)

　　Many people who do not like animals may not understand why we willingly keep voiceless pets, spending a lot of money and energy on them, and what kind of returns we actually get. In fact, those of us who raise pets know that pets have become an inseparable part of our lives; they are our family. Here is a summary of what pets can do for their owners.

　　1. Stabilize the Owner's Mood and Help Maintain Health

　　Pets are natural mood regulators. Spending 15–30 minutes with cats or dogs, or watching swimming fish, can reduce stress. For treating depression, pets patiently listen to their owners’ complaints. They promote interpersonal communication among owners and reduce loneliness. Additionally, pets help stabilize their owners' blood pressure; playing with pet dogs can prevent high blood pressure in children. Lower cholesterol; owning pets helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Help owners exercise; walking a dog for 30 minutes daily meets the minimum standards for moderate exercise and lowers the risk of obesity.

　　2. Assist Sick Owners and Alert Owners of Health Changes

　　People without pet cats have a 40% higher mortality rate from heart disease than those who have pet cats; owners who have pet dogs have a higher survival rate after heart attacks. Pet cats have a more calming effect than other animals, promoting blood circulation and reducing stroke risk. Pets can act as a "snack alarm clock" for diabetic patients; some dogs (about one-third) can detect certain chemical changes in their owner's body and warn the owner before a sharp drop in blood sugar, allowing timely food intake to avoid danger.

　　3. Help for Children

　　Reduce children's allergies and enhance immunity. Having cats prevents asthma in children. Children with ADHD playing with pets can improve sleep and boost confidence. Being with pets stimulates the tactile, auditory, and olfactory senses of children with autism and enhances attention.

　　4. Assist in Disease Treatment

　　Pet dogs can alleviate patients’ excessive emotions and are often used in psychological therapy. They strengthen bones. Walking dogs helps receive more sunlight, increasing vitamin D in the body. Horse riding assists stroke patient rehabilitation; walking or playing fetch with pets helps relieve rheumatism.

　　5. Cancer Treatment Research

　　Cancers in cats and dogs are very similar to those in humans, including lumps, wounds that do not easily heal, swelling anywhere, enlarged lymph nodes, limping or bone swelling, and abnormal bleeding. Through these, biologists may research more prevention or treatment methods.

　　6. Help for Special Patients

　　The heat produced by dogs’ bodies has a "thermal therapy" effect for patients with chronic pain. Assist children with epilepsy; specially trained dogs will "alert" promptly during seizures. Help Parkinson’s disease patients; service dogs can open and close doors, help owners maintain body balance, and assist independent living. Pets also improve the quality of life for aphasia patients. Special dogs can understand special commands, improve symptoms of aphasia patients, boost their confidence, and enhance life quality. Interaction with animals in clinics and nursing homes helps improve patients’ moods.