Take Your Dog to Work

June 26th is Take Your Dog to Work Day! This day was created by Pet Sitters International to celebrate dog companionship. Currently, this day is celebrated in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Take Your Dog to Work Day is intended to be fun for current dog owners and a novel way to introduce non-owners to the joys of having a dog in your life. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help increase dog adoptions and a great way to improve your health.

Socializing is good for you
Did you also know that taking your dog to work can be good for your health? Studies prove that being more socially engaged improves your health by:
• Improving your mood
• Reducing your risk for heart disease
• Improving your long-term memory
• Extending your life
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Wash Your Paws!

The current worldwide infection with swine flu has heightened everyone’s interest in preventing the spread of infections. If you have been following flu news on the Internet, you can find all kinds of suggestions for reducing your risk of exposure – everything from wearing masks to avoiding pig farms and petting zoos. One of the best methods for helping to prevent the spread of infection is easy, convenient, and cheap – simply washing your hands!
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Sweetest Mother’s Day Gift

Looking for the perfect gift for your mom this Mother’s Day? Forget the flowers and boxes of fat- and calorie-laden sweets and chocolates and ask Fido for shopping advice. Fido will probably take you to the local pet store and steer you toward the balls, Frisbees, ropes for pulling, and stuffed animals to toss around. “Eureka,” you’ll tell Fido. “I’ll give a fitness gift!”
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Wanna Get Healthy? Take a Nap!

On a busy afternoon, as you’re scurrying around the house, feverishly rushing through chores, you may notice Fido. Fido’s probably sprawled out on the floor or curled up on a pillow taking a long afternoon snooze. “Lazy dog,” you mutter. Well think again! Fido’s showing you a great way to better your health – take a nap!
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Who’s Your Ideal Fitness Advisor?

President Obama will soon be appointing an important advisor to his White House team – his fitness advisor. You haven’t heard about this position? Perhaps you know it better as the search for the ideal White House dog. Research shows that a dog is more than companion and cute addition to photo ops. Fido is actually Nature’s perfect “personal trainer” – loyal, hardworking, energetic, and enthusiastic. And unlike your girlfriends who may skip an exercise session because of appointments, extra chores, or bad weather – Fido never has an excuse for forgetting to exercise.

What are the benefits of regular exercise?

Dr. Joanna Kruk reviewed medical literature describing health benefits from exercise. Her research showed that the risk of developing a number of serious health problems is reduced by physical activity and exercise:

• Breast cancer risk reduced by 75 percent
• Heart disease risk decreased by 49 percent
• Diabetes risk lowered by 35 percent
• Colon cancer risk decreased by 22 percent
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