National Dog Month

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.