According to Texas A&M University, numerous studies show that pets provide undisputed medical benefits:
(1) Dog owners have lower blood pressure. It only takes 10 minutes in the company of a dog to significantly reduce blood pressure rates.
(2) Owning a dog is estimated to decrease heart attack mortality rates by 3% - many thousands of lives a year.
(3) Dog owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners.
(4) In a study of Medicare patients, dog owners made 21% fewer trips to a physician.
(5) Children exposed to dogs during their first years of life have a lower frequency of som allergies and asthma.
(6) Pet owners have better overall physical health due to exercise with their pets.
Now, with the publication of a new book, A BARK IN THE PARK: THE 45 BEST PLACES TO HIKE WITH YOUR DOG IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON REGION (Cruden Bay Books, 128 pages, $12.95, ISBN#0-9744083-5-2), residents in greater Cincinnati can sniff out the best places to get that beneficial exercise.
A BARK IN THE PARK: THE 45 BEST PLACES TO HIKE WITH YOUR DOG IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON REGION ranks the top 45 such local places with your best friend in mind. While walking the dog, author Lisa Johnson also brings along generous helpings of local history, botany, geology, architecture and more. "Even if you don't own a dog I'm sure you'll find a new place to hike in this book," said Johnson.
The Porltand region can be a great place to hike with your dog. Within an hour's drive you can hike on sand trails, climb hills that leave you panting, walk on some of the most historic grounds in America, explore great forest trails and find a swimming hole for a doggie dip.
Also included are tips for hiking with your dog in the desert...outfitting your dog for a hike...low impact hiking with your dog...and much more. A BARK IN THE PARK: THE 45 BEST PLACES TO HIKE WITH YOUR DOG IN THE PORTLAND REGION is available at local bookstores, outdoors stores, veterinarians and pet stores. Come visit us at our website at hikewithyourdog.com. Get fit - grab a leash and hit the trail!