Dogs as Friends

Dog: a man’s best friend. But why are they man’s best friend? Humans have had dogs as companions for millennia, starting as a tool to help cavemen hunt and now becoming a household pet that brings joy to those around them.

            In the United States, 63 million households have a pet dog, a majority of which consider their dog a member of their family. Dogs have also become increasingly helpful for those with disabilities, and in war time dogs help sniff out bombs and rescue soldiers. Dogs can also be trained to be official therapeutic dogs that can help adults and children alike.

            Purebred dogs are common pets for people, especially when they’re looking for a specific breed or behavior in a dog. However, there are some problems with purebred dogs. Due to their popularity, they are constantly being overbred leading to health complications and overcrowding of kennels. Rescue dogs who have been found wandering the streets, usually injured or sick, are less common for people to adopt as they may have behavioral issues and they’re not as “cute” as the purebreds. Rescuing a dog is very important, as many of them need a forever home to feel safe and comfortable in. Just by fostering a rescue dog, you could save its life. 

The National Library of Medicine has done a few studies that look into the psychological and biological benefits of owning a dog. 

“Studies have found that short-term, unstructured interactions with a therapy dog can significantly reduce self-reported anxiety and distress levels. For example, children with their pet dog or a therapy dog present during a stressful task exhibit lower perceived stress and more positive affect compared to when alone, when a parent was present, or when a stuffed dog was present.” 

            The story of Clover, a young Maremma (sheepdog) mix, saved a life in 2021 when her owner, Haley Moore, had a sudden seizure. Moore fell to the ground suddenly, and Clover was the only one around. She desperately attempted to rouse Moore, to no avail. Cars continued passing by without stopping, so in an attempt to get help, Clover risked her life by jumping in front of a car to get help. The driver was shocked by the dog’s bravery in her attempt to get his attention. Though the reason for the seizure was never discovered, Moore says, “If this ends up happening again, I feel ten times safer knowing Clover will be there for me. She’s a really amazing dog, and I love her to death.”

            Clover’s story is one of many, and it just goes to show how amazing dogs are. They are capable of so many things, and are extremely smart. Dogs generally have better hearing than humans, particularly in the high-frequency range. Humans typically can hear up to 20,000 Hertz, while dogs can hear frequencies up to 45,000-67,000 Hertz. Additionally, dogs can detect sounds that are much quieter than humans can at high frequencies. Their sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than humans. 

            Newtown High School students and teachers alike share the advantages and joys of owning a dog. 

“I like my dogs because they are like two built-in friends. They are always in a happy mood and they help you when you feel emotional. Whenever I get into a bad mood I can pet them and they will cuddle up,” NHS junior Ella Viau shared.

“I love when I see people’s day lifted instantly. “Auggie’s here!” And I love how much he loves it,” Deidre Croce, Newtown High School counselor shared. Croce was referring to Auggie, her dog that is trained to be a therapy dog that comes to school and makes everyone smile. “It’s just good, endorphin boosting stuff. I especially like when we go into the nursing homes, places where people don’t get out as much and they just need a boost. It’s really rewarding to see that he has that capacity. It’s the purest form of love known to man.”

Next time you’re thinking of getting a pet, consider getting a dog! They’re loyal, smart, and funny, and they’ll make you happy. Dogs really are man’s best friend.