Melissa Milanak, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, noted that while pets can be comforting, many pet owners report sleep disturbances caused by their animals, revealing a complex relationship between pet companionship and sleep quality.
"He's a pretty cool dog," van Gisbergen said of the Rhodesian Ridgeback who weighs 130 pounds, which makes him five pounds heavier than Tyler Reddick, the reigning regular-season NASCAR Cup Series champion.
"Whether it's the joy of sniffing through flowers, herbs and foliage, rolling around on the lawn or digging in a dedicated sandpit, a few simple changes can turn an ordinary garden into a sensory haven for dogs."
Dr. Aimee Warner, a resident veterinarian at pet insurance company Waggel, warned that dog owners should avoid allowing their pets to lick human faces, as it poses health risks.