Fur Your Health: Meet Koko, Your Potential New Best Friend

If you’re the owner of a four-legged, feathered, fishy, or even scaly friend, it comes as no surprise that pets bring a certain level of wellness to our lives. And that’s not exclusively anecdotal. The health benefits of pet ownership are backed by science.

In fact, the American Heart Association Council found that owning a pet not only leads to lower blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, but interacting with pets regularly reduces cortisol (stress) levels, raises serotonin and dopamine (happiness hormones), and increases the release of oxytocin (yet another chemical that naturally fights stress). An 18-year study published in Scientific Reports in 2025 found that dog owners over 50 years of age experienced a slower memory decline, while cat owners benefited from a slower decline in verbal fluency, compared to those without pets. And did you know that pets also promote physical fitness? UC Davis reports that over 60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly exercise goal with 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

As a pet owner (and someone who worked with dogs professionally for 8 years), I can attest to the improved quality of life that comes with caring for critters. So, I decided to partner with Addicted 2 Animals to create a monthly column that features adoptable pets.

This month’s pet is Koko. He’s one of those dogs who doesn’t try to charm the entire room. He chooses his people carefully. A 5-year-old terrier mix, Koko may be small in stature, but he makes up for it with a big, expressive personality and a deeply loyal heart. He can be a little cautious at first, especially around new people and taller men, but give him a bit of time and consistency, and he’ll show you exactly who he is: playful, affectionate, and devoted.

Koko is the kind of dog who bonds hard once he trusts you. He’s not looking to be passed around at parties or scooped up by unpredictable little hands, which is why he’d thrive best in a home without small children. He does well with cats, gets along with some dogs, and would be a great match for someone who values quiet companionship, meaningful bonds, and the kind of connection that grows with time into something that feels like home.

After three years of waiting, Koko isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for someone patient and willing to let trust unfold at its own pace. And if you’re reading this thinking, I’m like that too, there’s a good chance Koko is waiting for someone just like you.

Interested in meeting Koko or learning about other adoptable pets? Call or text Amber with Addicted 2 Animals at 702-203-4134.

Andrea is a Vegas-based writer whose work explores themes like emotional wellness, neurodivergence, self-reclamation, and modern burnout. She also runs a small clothing business where she curates and restores vintage items with an emphasis on sustainability and reuse. When she's not writing, she can be found reading, thrifting, buying more plants than she has room for, or upcycling forgotten items into something worth keeping. Got a question, comment, or good antique store recommendation? Drop her a line at andrea@rubycatcreative.com.