September 28th

By Mutt Mulligan

Get outside for National Walk Your Dog Week

National Walk Your Dog Week (October 1 to 7) aims to address canine behavior issues and canine obesity. It’s a great opportunity for you and your pup to get outside and enjoy the green spaces around you! That’s a message TurfMutt shares year-round.

There are many reasons for pups and humans to get a move on. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 54 percent of U.S. dogs (41.9 million in total) are overweight or obese. Extra weight can lead to health problems, including chronic inflammation, orthopedic disease, skin problems, decreased mobility and cancer, not to mention reduced life expectancy and diminished quality of life. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise are also more likely to act out by barking, chewing or raiding the garbage can.

But spending time outside isn’t only good for our canine companions, it also benefits us, as well. A systematic research review (Annual Review of Environment and Resources) concluded that “the balance of evidence indicates conclusively that knowing and experiencing nature makes us generally happier, healthier people.” Being in nature reduces stress (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), improves memory function (Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture) and decreases depression and anger (BioMed Central Public Health). And since the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, National Walk Your Dog Week is a positive step in the right direction for both pups and people.

Find out more about how living landscapes in the family yard benefit pets and people by visiting www.savelivinglandscapes.com.