Do Animals Prevent Dementia in Humans?

One of those formal studies whose results won't surprise anyone who's thought about it has documented that there's a high correlation between owning a dog, after age 70, and not developing Alzheimer's Disease. Dog owners stay saner longer than people who don't own dogs.

The study did not look for correlations between owning a cat and not developing Alzheimer's Disease, and mentioned an interest in looking for correlations between dog ownership and sanity in other countries where the social implications of dog ownership are different.

They thought the benefit of dog ownership in preventing dementia, for Americans, came from our custom of keeping dogs indoors and "walking" them regularly. They mentioned walking and talking as specific stimuli that seemed likely to protect the brain.

Talking? Not jolly likely. People who chatter inanely don't use their brains, and lose them. People who think and solve problems, even inane problems like jigsaw puzzles and word-find games, do use their brains, and generally keep them. People who walk dogs don't always think of themselves as actively, consciously, solving problems, but they are: the problem of keeping the dog from reacting to distractions, the problem of making sure the dog chooses appropriate "territorial markers" (as distinct from, say, aiming at the legs of tourists), the problem of scooping and carrying the aspect of dog ownership you least want to think about. And, given that dog walking provides a pretext to talk to strangers on the street, the problem of avoiding people who think "conversation" means rants or gossip or attempts to sell insurance.

Of course, there's a more fundamental question than this about the outcome of the study. While most if not all readers will nod their heads and say "Yes, of all the people I know who are over 90 years old, the ones who are still competent are likely to have dogs," that life experience raises the question: "But some people who started losing their minds before age 70 gave up their dogs. Which way does the correlation work?"

While pet ownership will probably turn out to be only one of many factors in preventing dementia, the secret may not be the species of pet owned but the way the human relates to the pet. People who have active relationships with other animals, like people who have active relationships with other humans, are stimulating their brains to repair themselves from the effects of aging, /For many people that's enough. If drugs are used, if the relationships consist of mindless selfish annoying chatter without the problem-solving and active listening, if people aren't getting enough nutrients or exercise to maintain the brain, a dog may not be able to do much for the patient. But when people are healthy and have healthy, active relationships within or across species, they're likely to be active problem-solves for as long as they may live.

Here are some dogs that would love to help humans stay sane--or, in the case of young humans whose problems come from drugs rather than aging, become sane. They're big enough to take a good deal of walking, have had some "leash training" in not dragging humans with stiff knees into ice-rimmed ponds, and seem intelligent enough to give their humans plenty of satisfying, soluble problems--the kind that keep the brain ticking over, not the kind that cause pain.

Zipcode 10101: Pilar from NYC 

Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/pilar-59529657/ny/new-york/stray-from-the-heart-ny245/

Thought to be four or five years old, this 29-pound terrier is said to love walks on a leash, chasing balls and toys, and snuggling up beside a human friend who is sitting still. Unlike cats, who invite you to rub or tickle their undersides as part of a fight-practice game they naturally play with one another, some dogs actually like to lie still and have their undersides rubbed. Pilar is one of them.

Zipcode 20202: Caboose from DC 

His web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/caboose-69859163/dc/washington/final-victory-animal-rescue-sc497/

He's a beagle, so won't demand too many miles a day. He is probably as big as he'll ever be. Caboose was found wandering along railroad tracks in South Carolina. Actually he's still in South Carolina, but if they trust you to pay the shelter staff will happily bring him to Washington. Or other places, within reason. Caboose is said to walk well on a leash and enjoy playing and cuddling.

Zipcode 30303: Precious from Atlanta 

Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/precious-65206330/ga/atlanta/fulton-county-animal-services-ga217/

I don't like going by breed reputation alone, but--you see how amateurish this photo of a beautiful dog 
is? These shelters focus more on placing dogs in real life than on winning photo contests, which is good for them. They are neck-deep in pit bull terriers and the photos posted, when anyone has bothered to post a photo, are not chosen to highlight the lovable qualities a well trained pit bull can have. One photo marked as a pit bull I'm quite sure is actually of a cat, and some others may well be of space aliens. And then there's Precious. Border collies are supposed to be a slim, active, agile breed but not that thin.  They're supposed to have combable fur, too. Somebody needs to treat this precious fluffball for worms and make sure she gets regular meals after her walks. There probably have been border collies who weren't great walking companions and lovable foot warmers, but I've never personally seen or been told about one. They are a very clever breed and like to be given jobs where they can use their problem-solving skills, too. 

Bonus for Local Lurkers: Sophie from Blountville 

Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/sophie-69202767/tn/piney-flats/blackjack-animal-rescue-tn488/

She was "found" in western Tennessee. You might want to check the circumstances. She is currently in a foster home in Kingsport, where they don't say specifically that she's had leash training but do say that she's a classic beagle. "All that is Beagle applies to her!" Snoopy's Niece? Possibly. Can she return tennis balls? Try and see. Call quickly because dogs on the Tri-Cities page are almost always large, overwhelming dogs that someone wasn't able to handle. She's not likely to be in foster care long.