April 29, 2025

Comparing the friendship and love between dogs and humans in light of the paw-sitive influence and impact some dogs have on some humans is not farfetched. Some dogs have gone on to be heroic patriots, recognized by both the government and the masses for their service to humanity in various ways.

Here are some heart-warming stories of how canines continue to prove that they are man’s best friends:

  1. Dog-assisted physical therapy

This form of therapy, called animal therapy, incorporates motivation and resilience from animals like dogs into physical rehabilitation such that persons in therapy are encouraged to strive to be better with the company of a therapy dog. So many have testified to how they made headway with physiotherapy with the help of their therapy dogs. This is usually common with Veterans who might have become physically challenged from their time in service or patients in recovery from accidents, surgical treatments, and other physical ailments.

  1. Rehabilitating Prisoners

Including dogs in prison rehabilitation programmes is a process to help cut down on recidivism by having prisoners work with dogs in prison. Prisoners who work with dogs while incarcerated have been known to improve their emotions, have more control over their feelings, and reduce negative emotional tendencies like anger issues, depression, and aggression.

  1. Overcoming substance abuse and addiction

Pooches have come through for those struggling with substance abuse and addiction by helping them see a reason to live a more healthy life and choose sobriety. Notable of such stories is that of Zach Skow, who was able to beat 11 years of drug and alcohol abuse and heal his cirrhotic liver by walking, running, and hiking with his pack of dogs until he was able to overcome his addiction and get better. Dogs do change the lives of people struggling with addictions by offering emotional support, helping with anxiety and loneliness and promoting overall good mental and psychological health.

  1. Prompting physical activity

Having to walk a dog or go on a run, jog, hike, or climb with a pooch is not only healthy for you’re a pooch but also for you. Physical activities and exercises with a dog also motivate you to work out and keep fit, ultimately influencing your physical health for the best.

  1. Evoking humanitarian tendencies

People who have been helped by service dogs in one way or another have ended up being influenced to do some good themselves. It could be to give rescue dogs their forever homes and get them off the streets or try to give back to society by helping other human beings or doing something to help the environment.

As we know, although some dogs have shown integrity in helping their owners and other people get back on their feet from different challenges, taking care of our dogs still remains our responsibility. Getting your pooch care essentials like a Dog Towel will show how appreciative you are of your dog for paw-sitively impacting your life.

What is your story of how positively your dog has impacted and changed your life?