Recently Animals Asia conducted a survey to look into the attitudes towards dogs in Hong Kong, and the survey found that 72% of Hong Kong people either like or love dogs, which aligns with recent studies showing that pet guardianship has grown substantially over the past decade.
Dogs and our mental health
An overwhelming 86% of the participants think that dogs alleviate anxiety and stress, and 76% of them agree that seeing dogs around makes them happy. Mental health, feeling less lonely and stressed, and sharing a common interest with their partner are the prominent reasons listed in the survey for people seeking the companionship of dogs.
74% of the participants agree that dogs bring people together in positive ways, and we at Exploring Dogs could not agree more! Many studies have shown owning companion animals, such as dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, whilst encouraging exercise, playfulness, thereby improving our cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing. Imagine those benefits, coupled by the those the great outdoors provides us when out on a hike or surrounded by nature with our dogs! That's one pretty potent antidote to the stressors and pressures of everyday life if you ask us!
To learn more, check out the Facebook post in Hong Kong Animals Asia's Support Group below.
About Animals Asia
Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving animal welfare across Asia. The organisation promotes compassion and respect for all animals and works to bring about long-term change, and also run a Dr. Dog programme for animal-assisted therapy. Founded in 1998, the Animals Asia team has been rescuing bears since 1994. As the only organisation with a bear sanctuary in China, Animals Asia operates award-winning sanctuaries in China and Vietnam. The founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, Dr.med.vet. h.c., Hon LLD is widely recognised as the world's leading authority on the bear bile industry, campaigning against it since 1993. Animals Asia also works to end the trade in dogs and cats for food and abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks and collaborates with governments and NGOs to improve the welfare of companion and captive wild animals. Please find more about Animals Asia here.