National Dog Month
July 31, 2025
National Dog Month is dedicated to our lovely canine companions across the world. The nation began celebrating this holiday in 2020, thanks to Milk-Bone, who started this tradition. Dogs are the # 1 most common owned pet in the world. There is actual scientific evidence proving having a dog is good for your physical and emotional health.
- Dogs make us feel less alone – they offer unconditional love and emotional support that helps address social isolation.
- They help you stop stressing out – Your canine companion can offer comfort and ease your worries. Multiple studies show that dogs and therapy dogs help alleviate stress and anxiety. Even just petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure, heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension.
- Dogs help us cope with crisis– many people working with trained service dogs have had significantly less symptoms of PTSD and better coping skills.
- Dogs are good for your heart– studies have shown dog owners have lower blood pressure and improved responses to stress.
- They encourage you to move – walking your dog really adds up, dog owners walk 300 minutes more per week than people without a dog.
- Dogs can help senior with cognitive function and social interaction – pet therapy improves cognitive functions and social interactions. They also can decrease agitated behaviors in seniors with dementia.
- Dogs make us happier – staring into your dog’s eyes can raise your level of oxytocin, and naturally boost your mood!
Source: Blagojevic, Jana. “National Dog Month 2025: When It Is & How to Celebrate – Dogster.” Dogster, 13 Jan. 2025, www.dogster.com/lifestyle/national-dog-month. Accessed 31 July 2025.
