Owning a dog could help you live longer

Having a canine companion around the house could help you live a longer, healthier life. A new study found dog owners generally had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death, compared to those who didn't own a canine. Researchers concluded that after tracking more than 3.4 million people in Sweden over 12 years. The news was even better for those who lived alone with a dog. They reduced their risk of death by a third and had an 11 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Class discussion: Do you think sharing your life with a dog is good for you? Why or why not? Why would having a dog have a greater impact on people who live alone? Does having an animal companion affect a person’s mental health as well as physical health? How long have dogs been companions of human beings? What animals were the ancestors of dogs? How did they evolve into dogs? What work have dogs performed for human beings over the centuries?