October 1st is National Walk Your Dog Day

Caregiver in Montauk NY

Does your loved one own a dog?  If so, you may already know that walking them regularly has great benefits for the dog and for your loved one, too.  National Walk Your Dog Day is celebrated on October 1st and it is a great day for family caregivers to get out with their loved ones and dogs and enjoy a nice walk together.  Walking a dog can be fun, relaxing, and a great social experience, so it is a great activity to encourage your loved one to do regularly.  Read on to learn more about the benefits that regularly dog walking can have for your loved one and for their beloved pet.

Great Exercise

Exercise is always important and it is essential to a healthy and happy lifestyle.  Getting regular exercise can help your loved one to prevent many serious medical conditions and it can even help them to better manage stress and/or depression.  For many people, however, being consistent and exercising regularly is a challenge.  If your loved one owns a dog, however, getting regular exercise can actually be easier.  With a dog that is eager to walk every day, your loved one will have the motivation to get out and get active.  Daily walks are a great form of exercise for seniors and they are easy to do.  With the dog along, your loved one will always have a walking buddy!  On National Walk Your Dog Day, why not join them for their daily walk?

Dogs Need Exercise, Too!

In addition to being great exercise for your loved one, taking a walk gives the dog great exercise, too!  Dogs, especially high energy breeds, need to get exercise each day and many dogs find walking fun.  When they can count on a regular walk every day, they may even be less likely to engage in unwanted behaviors like destroying household items, jumping on people, and barking at passersby.  In addition, a dog that gets regular exercise will be healthier and happier.

Social Interaction

Seniors need social interaction to help them fight off boredom, loneliness, isolation, and even feelings of depression.  Walking a dog is a great way for them to get out into the neighborhood, greet neighbors and strike up conversations with other dog owners.  Dog walking can be an enjoyable experience and it just may become the highlight of their day!

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional caregiver services in Montauk, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.