Dog Parks, a Benefit to the Community
Did you know that Sheridan is the Dog Park capital of Wyoming? Sheridan currently has more dog parks per capita than any other community within our state.
The AVMA calculates that the average American household has 1.6 dogs. If that's true, then there are roughly 18,000 dogs in Sheridan County!
The advantages of dog parks are simple and powerful. From a pet ownership perspective, public dog parks allow dogs to get ample off-leash exercise. At their best, dog parks can facilitate socialization with a variety of breeds and breed types. They can be a wonderful resource for adolescent dogs that have too much energy and no place to put it. Dogs encourage people to walk more, and research studies show that at the individual level, being outdoors in a dog park offers diverse therapeutic and psychological benefits. It has been found that owning a pet is directly linked to fewer visits to the doctor and improved overall health.
Dog parks provide important community benefits as well, and are important outlets for humans, as they provide recreational opportunities and bring together dog lovers of all ages and socioeconomic status. They also provide a place for owners to converse and get information about dog-related services and about the community in general. They serve as a conversation starter, and people indicate they become acquainted with other people in the neighborhood through their pets. We encourage all community members to bring their four-legged friends and visit one of our dog parks today!