Dogs may be a man’s best friend, but a new survey of 2,000 dog owners shows that they’re also good for helping their owners make new friends too. The research found that nearly half of all respondents in the survey made new friends while taking their pet for a walk. Those surveyed had met an average of four new people while out for walks with their pet or at puppy training classes, while a majority said that owning a dog is the perfect ice-breaker, helping boost their confidence as they can more easily interact with strangers. Dog owners reportedly experienced reduced levels of stress, more outdoor time, improvements in mental and physical health, and even a better love-life. While we shouldn’t ignore the environmental effects that come with owning a dog (yes, it costs a lot of resources to make food for pets), all these benefits do provide a nice incentive for having a dog in the household.
New study shows owning a dog can do wonders for your social life
More of Today's Solutions
How Paraguay cut its poverty rate from over 50 to 16 percent in two decades
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In 2005, more than half of Paraguay’s population lived in poverty. By 2025, that share had fallen to ...
Read MorePro parenting tips to spark your children’s life-long love for the grea...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In today's digital world, the pull of screens can be difficult to overcome, particularly for kids. However, the ...
Read MoreRainforest nations join forces to protect biodiversity
Late last month, major rainforest nations gathered in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to address the rising problem of deforestation and safeguard the invaluable biodiversity ...
Read MoreInvestigating when our bodies change the fastest and why it matters
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Aging might seem like a slow, steady march, but science suggests otherwise. If you’ve ever looked in the ...
Read More
