Press Release
American Heart Association
June 22, 2022
What:
June 24th – Bring Your Pet to Work Day
Every Friday in Summer – Best Friend Fridays (American Heart Association Campaign)
Pets and Heart Health Benefits
Did you know your four-legged friend could help boost health and well-being? Heart disease and stroke are the world’s top killers; the number one and number five killers, to be exact. Animal lovers don’t need scientific studies to show that pets are good for your health; we already knew that. Luckily, these studies exist proving what our hearts already told us.
Pets can help you get more exercise, may lower blood pressure and cholesterol, cut stress and boost happiness.
We sniffed out the facts: pet companionship may provide important social support and is a powerful predictor of behavior changes that can lead to weight loss. It can also provide benefits in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Overall, pet parents tend to live longer than non-pet owners. Dog parents are more likely to fit in the recommended level of physical activity than those who don’t have a dog.
A pet can be your heart’s best friend. That’s why the American Heart Association has launched Best Friend Fridays, a campaign to build healthier, happier lives one pet parent at a time.
Pet parents know that pets love unconditionally and want to be loved in return, instinctively know when we need protection, are always up for whatever we want to do and can be your lifeline during the most difficult times you will ever have to face.
Every Friday during the summer participating organizations will open their doors to their employees’ four-legged friends or schedule a group outing to a nearby green space to allow their employees to enjoy all the good that pets can do.
We believe that happy minds and healthy hearts have a pet in their lives. Studies show that having a pet is associated with increased exercise and fitness levels, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, decreased stress, and greater overall happiness and well-being.
It’s a win-wag combination for health and happiness. Happy Minds. Healthy Hearts.
Facts and Stats:
Employees are being impacted by heart disease and stroke:
· 1 million people will have a heart attack or die from coronary heart disease this year
· 795,000 will have a stroke this year
· 38% of adults are obese
· 44 million adults — or about one of every five — have a mental health disorder
· 28% Say they always/almost always/very often experience stress as a result of work
· 40% of employees say their job gets in the way of their health
Pet companionship can help!
· 37 percent of pet parents say they would sacrifice vacation time and take a pay cut to bring their pet to work
· 22% of employees said they would be more productive with a pet at work
· 44% would consider a career move for a pet-friendly workplace
· 37 percent of pet parents say they would sacrifice vacation time and take a pay cut to bring their pet to work
· 22% of employees said they would be more productive with a pet at work
· 44% would consider a career move for a pet-friendly workplace