Two Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Pets and Volunteering

Recently, I developed something of a guilty complex regarding the fact that though I have run more races than I can count, and I volunteer regularly at a local, no-kill animal shelter, I have never volunteered to help out at a race. I had started to feel like maybe always running them and never ever helping out at them was a bit selfish of me. This past weekend, the perfect opportunity arose for me to combine my desires to volunteer, run, and help animals.

Two years ago, I participated in the Richmond SPCA Dog Jog 5k and one-mile dog walk with my mom, one of her pugs, my husband, and our two dogs. For the last year and half, one of my dogs and I have also enjoyed taking agility classes at the facility. For various reasons, I was unable to enroll in the current agility course or  participate in the one-mile walk with my dogs this year. Although I was tempted to simply run the Dog Jog 5k, it became apparent to me that perhaps the most valuable way for me to spend my Saturday morning would actually be volunteering to help with the Dog Jog.

Upon e-mailing the Richmond SPCA, I discovered that one of the volunteer shifts ran from 7:30 to 9:00. And the 5k didn't start until 9:30. I could actually have the best of both worlds--I could not only volunteer my time giving back to an organization that has been very good to my dogs and me, but I could also monetarily support them and their animals with my race registration and indulge my love for running.  It was a perfect morning. I spent an hour and half of a cool, sunny morning setting up tents, cleaning tables and chairs, and setting up face-painting stations; enjoyed a complimentary Krispy Kreme donut which constituted volunteer refreshments; and enjoyed a fast, flat 5k in downtown Richmond.

So what am I getting at with all this? Well, a lot of things actually. I want to convey the message of the value of volunteering. I want to convey the message of the value of spending time with your pet. I want to convey the message of the value of physical activity for both you and your pet. So, here it goes:

The Benefits of Volunteering

1. Last night, my husband and I watched a documentary called "Happy" (2011). One of the main points made in the film was that people who give back--people who are altruistic--are generally happier than those who tend to be more self-centered. Getting outside of ourselves and focusing on what we can give to others, as opposed to what we think we lack, can help boost our levels of happiness. Anyone who has ever experienced the joy of helping another knows how gratifying doing so is. After all, "blessed is that man who seeth his brother need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good" and "whatever blesses one, blesses all" (Mary Baker Eddy).

2. Volunteering can help you learn new skills or use skills you have but may not be able to use in your professional life.

3. Volunteering in various fields that interest you can help you learn of and become familiar with new career paths, as well as network with people involved in career paths that may be in your future.

4. Volunteering is often therapeutic for people involved in the activity. Offering our skills and services without expecting anything in return often leads to many intrinsic rewards. We feel valued, needed, helpful, and worthy.

5. Volunteering allows you to make a visible impact on your community, often in area of your choosing that is important to you. Watching a community garden flourish or a dog enjoy his daily walk because of your abilities, skills, and time can be an extremely gratifying experience. You can see your actions making a positive difference.

6. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people, who you will likely find share many of your values and interests. That's why they're there!

The Benefits of Owning a Pet

(Okay, this list could go on and on and on and on, but I'll try to limit myself.)

1. Cardiologists have done studies that conclude that walking a dog or stroking a cat can actually lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

2. The American Heart Association endorses the idea that people who own pets have a reduced risk of heart disease.

3. Points 1 and 2 above are likely the result of two factors: bonding with our pets helps relax us, and walking them naturally results in better physical health. For this reason, some researchers explain that dogs are particularly beneficial to cardiovascular health (providing, of course, you walk your canine companion on a regular basis).

4. The American Heart Association propounds the idea that dog ownership decreases one's risk of obesity.

5. People who own cats were found in one study to be 30% less likely to suffer from a heart attack, and people who owned other types of pets were also found to be less stressed.

Physical Activity with your Pet

Sadly enough, 52.5% of dogs are overweight, as are 58.3% of cats, though almost half of pet owners (45%) think their obese pet's weight is normal and healthy.

Here are some tips for keeping your pet fit, trim, and healthy:

1. See your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet. If you do change your pet's food, it is often advisable to gradually mix the new food in with the old food, so your pet's system can slowly adjust to the change.

2. Exercise your pet daily. Exercise could include playing fetch, walking, hiking, jogging, playing Frisbee, playing tug-of-war, swimming, taking agility courses, etc. It can be fun and healthy for both you and your pet!

3. If you live in the Richmond area and believe you and your pet could both stand to shed (pun intended) a few pounds, check out the Petz Luv Losers program.

Sources

"Benefits of Volunteering." commonhealth.virginia.gov. 10 March 2014. 17 March 2014. <http://commonhealth.virginia.gov/communications.htm>.

"Dogs are Heart Healthy." commonhealth.virginia,gov. 13 January 2014. 17 March 2014. <http://commonhealth.virginia.gov/communications.htm>.

"Petz Luv Losers!" Petz Luv. February/March 2014. 12-13. Print.