Monday marks the beginning of the 84^th annual National Dog Week (September 24-30, 2012). Created by dog enthusiast Captain William Lewis Judy in 1928, this event was established to celebrate the military service of canines and all the dogs that serve as friends and family members across the nation.

Captain Judy REALLY loved dogs. After serving in the U.S. Army, he founded his own publishing house and used it to produce a number of works about his passion for canines. In addition to launching National Dog Week, he purchased and published Dog World magazine and created the Dog Writers Association of America.

But Captain Judy is not alone. All across America, there are dogs and dog-lovers. Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog and there are 78.2 million dogs in America.* So what is it that makes dogs “a man’s best friend”? Well, aside from their overall cuteness, dogs give us an extra health boost.

Research shows that caring for an animal can improve your mental and physical well-being.**

• Pet owners are less likely to feel lonely because their pets provide companionship, which can boost overall mood.**
• Pets can serve as the perfect personal trainer by getting you moving, as most pets need to be walked each day.**
• Studies have shown that having a pet in the home can actually lower the likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent. Additionally, the same research has suggested that children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall.**
• Pets can expand your social circle. People may sometimes have a hard time getting to know others, and pets can be the perfect ice-breaker.**
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have both conducted heart-related studies on people who have pets. The findings showed that pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels – all of which can ultimately minimize their risk for having a heart attack down the road.**

You can find batteries for dog toys, accessories and more at BatteriesPlus.com or at your nearest Batteries Plus store. Make sure to visit Be Positive again on Monday, September 24 to enter our Canine Photo Contest, and please help support the efforts of the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.

Sources:

*The Humane Society of the United States

**Animal Planet

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