“Dog walking was essential in helping me create a community with my neighbours”
I’d lived in my neighbourhood for a year before I got my dachshund Rusty, and I barely knew a soul. Now, a year later, I know most of my neighbours and have my own little support group.Rusty and I go for a walk twice a day around our local area. As we tend to stick to the same route, he’s started becoming friendly with certain dogs and along the way I’ve gotten to know their walkers and owners.
“Pet ownership appears to be a significant factor for facilitating social interaction and friendship formation within neighbourhoods,” writes Dr Wood. “For pet owners, this also translates into new sources of social support, both of a practical and emotionally supportive nature.” Dog walking: research shows people are more likely to get to know their neighbours if they're pet owners than if they're not.
In turn I have been supported by them too. They were my sounding board when I was getting married and received pushback for wanting such a small wedding. When I was struggling with mental health problems, I felt that I could trust them to share that without judgement.
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