Dangers of… dog walking? (Get the details here)
I love dogs.
I have a sweet, five-year old Yellow Labrador Retriever. And even though she can be hyper sometimes – and even a little high-maintenance – she and I LOVE taking our daily walks together.
Which brings me to today’s topic…
Because as CRAZY as it sounds… and as UNLIKELY as it could seem…
There’s a new study that finds walking your dog could be a dangerous health hazard…
Especially for seniors!
It sounds like satire, but it’s 100% true…
A Johns Hopkins University study has discovered a frightening connection between walking a leashed dog… and a risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Don’t get me wrong. My dog can sometimes drive me nuts on our walks… but never in a million years would I EVER think there could be a connection to a brain injury!
Well, it turns out that for the past 19 years, TBIs were the second most common injury among adults treated in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries related to walking a leashed dog over the past 19 years.
The researchers behind the study found that an over 420,000 adults sought treatment in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries resulting from leash-dependent dog walking… with nearly 50% of all patients being adults aged 40 to 64, and 75% of patients were women.
Most injuries occurred due to falling after being pulled by, tangled in or tripped by the leash connected to a dog they were walking.
Unfortunately, older dog walkers were:
- 3X more as likely to experience a fall
- 2X more likely to have a fracture
- 60% more likely to sustain a TBI than younger dog walkers
But, owning a dog – or any pet – doesn’t need to be a health concern. In fact, they’re good for you!
According to the CDC, frequent walking or playing with pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and provide much-needed companionship which helps reduce the risk of loneliness and depression.
But when it comes to walking your dog, make sure you do it safely. And if your pet is becoming too cumbersome to walk for long distances, consider hiring a dog walker… or asking one of your neighbors to lend a helping hand every once in a while.
And, if you’re considering getting a dog, be sure to consider the size and the temperament. Smaller dogs are often a better option for seniors.
To the power of pets,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Study Finds. “Walking The Dog Far More Dangerous Than You Might Realize, Johns Hopkins Study Warns.” https://studyfinds.org/walking-your-dog-could-be-dangerous-study-shows-high-risk-of-injuries/
