Persuasive Speech Essay - Why You Should Own a Dog

Persuasive Preface For my essay I am trying to convey to my audience that there are many benefits to owning a dog. My essay is directed to those who don’t own a dog or thinking about getting a pet. My essay is also directed to young adults who want to prepare themselves for what having a child is like. I want my audience to be more open minded about dogs and the benefits they offer. I would also like my audience to teach their relatives and friends about how having a dog is good thing for your health. I believe most of my audience already owns or has owned a dog. For the small portion of my audience that doesn’t t they probably believe that owning a dog is expensive or they are allergic to dogs. My original topic was going to be the health benefits of pets in general. However, there was a lot of room for resistance because my topic was so broad. I narrowed my topic down to the health benefits of owning a dog. The second part of resistance in my topic is that people are allergic to dogs and owning a dog can be expensive. I did some research and found out that according to the American Kennel Club there are 25 breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. I also found out that the Vet Technology Program at Metropolitan Community College- Maple Woods Campus has a free adoption service where the animals have been given vaccinated and well taken care of. Benefits of Owning a Dog According to a pet owners survey (American Pet Products Association, 2017), there were approximately 89.7 million dogs owned in the United States in 2017. Dogs are sometimes known as man’s best friend. This is due to the fact that we can learn so many things from a dog's behavior, personality, demeanor and loyalty. Throughout my upbringing I have been fortunate enough to own two Miniature Schnauzers. Over the last decade health specialists have found that owning a dog can increase the owner’s amount of exercising, socializing and being overall healthier. Stress and anxiety are some of the major symptoms that lead toward depression; having a dog around can decrease stress and anxiety so that people can go about their lives feeling better and a little more upbeat. Owning a dog is known as one of the best mood enhancers around. Doctors have even been known to prescribe patients a form of medication that involves the patient going out and buying a dog, saying that having a dog as a pet should be greatly considered before looking towards prescription drugs to try to improve their health. Psychologists say that petting a dog, can lead to an increase in your serotonin levels (a chemical associated with well-being) and it also decreases your level of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) (WebMD, 2018). Seeing how a dog can decrease stress levels, they are one of the best tools to help fight depression. Dogs also can have an effect on the physical fitness of their owner. Physicians say that a human should get some sort of exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, whether its walking, running, or lifting weights. People with dogs feel inclined to take their pet for a walk; this allows those people to get outside and walk at some point and time every day. Walking your dog benefits both the owner and the dog as well, providing a healthy lifestyle for the whole family. According to the article Do dog owners live longer, by the American Heart Association, dog owners are 54% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than their non-dog owning counterparts. As a result, and due to a stronger immune system from being exposed to pet fur and dandruff, many dog owners see a decrease in blood-pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, making them less at risk for heart-disease. In one study, done by WebMD, of 240 married couples, the couples that had dogs had lower blood pressure and heart rates. Dogs are known to lower blood pressure and heart rates because they are calming and are always happy to be around you. (WebMD, Slide 3) A study, done by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2015, which consisted of over 20 years, noticed that people without a dog were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack then people without one (WebMD, Slide 5). This statistic also had a strong effect on dog owners who also had a significantly better survival rate one year after a heart attack then people who did not have a pet. After years of research, and through the help of organizations such as WebMD, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and independent researchers, cardiologists, psychologists, and scientists have been able to deduce that having a cat or dog as a pet can drastically lower your chances of dying from any form of cardiac disease or a heart attack. As we grow older it is crucial that we keep a strong social life because it allows us as people to stay approachable so that we can maintain relationships. Having a dog is always a great conversation starter when meeting new people. People that own dogs are always willing to talk about their pet to anyone who wants to approach them. Having a dog makes you feel special compared to other people, because everyone’s pet is different. This can end up resulting in some fun conversations that you and another owner can relate to. The more social interaction you have, the more likely you are to engage in fulfilling relationships with people that make you happy. All this helps boost mental responses and motivation if struggling to get out of bed or to lose those last few pounds, leading to an overall sense of productivity and satisfaction. Plus, having a strong sense of purpose and a routine (which is often required for taking care of a dog) allows for stability which in turn helps fight mental illness. Studies have shown that barking dogs help deter burglaries and other violent attacks. With heightened senses of hearing and smell, dogs can detect things you can’t and alert you to possible danger. A dogs’ natural instinct is often to protect their home and family – something that can be annoying when the mailman comes to the door but useful if someone more nefarious comes around. There are many reasons why everyone, from the elderly to families with small children, should own a dog. Dogs have the potential to improve your mental and physical health as well as your happiness by acting as a companion, being a good listener, and demanding physical activity. Dogs are very caring animals, best known for being a man’s best friend. Owning a dog is one of life’s great joys.