The rise of homeless people around the world has skyrocketed over the years, but right now in America, the rates are at an all time high. In 2024 there are said to be around half a million homeless, who are either in shelters or living out on the streets. Some of these homeless people are all alone, while others are blessed with having a companion, in the form of a dog. Dogs offer constant love and are good for keeping their owners mentally stable. The homeless out in the world most likely lack getting love and companionship, which having a dog could fill that void. The benefits from having a dog alongside a homeless person has endless positives, and is something that many out there fighting for their lives could benefit from. 

Benefits can come in all different shapes for people who need different things. For example, dogs can bring in attention and offerings due to the fact that they draw attention to the strangers walking past the homeless on the streets. Seeing a dog alongside a homeless person could strike people’s hearts, and open up their wallets to someone in need. Financial benefits would be a huge bonus for the homeless considering most are unable to have jobs and provide for themselves. If a stranger helped a homeless person by providing an offering, that could open many doors for the homeless and could give them hope for their lives. Benefits can be defined as either an action, payment, or helpful goods that can help someone in times of need. A benefit can be different for everybody, and everyone could benefit from different things during different times of their lives. 

At the end of the day, the homeless are people just like us who need love and attention in their lives. The homeless can go days without eating and drinking, which are inhumane conditions that they are sadly often facing. While the homeless are fighting for their lives, their dogs are as well. Dogs need care and love as well to keep going and keep providing the benefits they do to their owner. The reason why homeless people who are blessed enough to have dogs with them are more likely to receive a donation is because of the empathy that dogs bring to people. People are more likely to want to benefit the dog and their owner by taking a minute out of their day to help someone in need. 

Humans are often visual learners, and need to see things to believe it. In order for people to want to benefit the homeless, they may need to see the real life struggles they are facing. It is important for people to especially see the love that the homeless own, so that they are going to want to help both parties out. The more love they see, the more likely they are going to want to help. According to the article titled, Are Dogs Children, Companions, or Just Animals?Understanding Variations in People’s Orientations toward Animals, written by Blouin states that, “the protectionistic have high regard for both pets and animals…they view pest as valuable companions and as creatures with their own interests”(Blouin 2019). If the homeless showcase a protectionist type of love for their dog, people will notice that and will hopefully want to give back and one help the homeless, but then also help out the dog. Blouin states how the dogs are used as a companion and something that has their best interest at heart, which would be getting the benefit of acquiring a donation. 

Social interaction is something that varies from person to person. Some people are content with just a hello, while others would prefer to go have longer and deeper conversations with people they may not even know. Social interaction is something that many homeless out on the streets have a lack of. Certain people may find themselves hesitant to go near a homeless person, based on their stereotypes or their looks. Due to the more intimidating or scary nature of a homeless person in general, if they were to have a dog alongside them, that can make them look more approachable and personable. A dog can act as a conversation starter, which would benefit the homeless by hopefully getting a donation or even having a conversation. Just like how certain people are more generous with how much time they want to give up interacting with people, that is similar to how generous someone is with donations. 

The benefit of having a dog can make social interaction more comfortable and also more likely to happen. Dogs can attract people to come over and greet the homeless, see what their situation is, and then based on their knowledge hopefully benefit them and provide a donation of some kind. Especially if during the interaction the potential donator can see that the dog is also thinned out and struggling, they would be more likely to benefit the homeless and dog. Benefits are different for everyone, and some people require different types. For the homeless, a conversation could go a long way and make their day, or some would prefer a dollar or two. It all depends, but at the end of the day they could appreciate some help for themselves, alongside their animals. 

Human interaction is a key component of life, and is necessary for one’s mental health and sanity. According to the article, Does Having a Dog Make You More Attractive, written by Golbeck and Colino, states that having a dog gives the impression that, “…you are kind, caring, trustworthy, compassionate, and patient..”(Golbeck, Colino 2023). Allowing people to let their guard down and be willing to approach a homeless person and let alone have a conversation with them can depend on the person being pretty far left. But the feeling after you could potentially make someone’s day would override all of those negative feelings. Having a conversation with a homeless person could benefit both parties involved. That is due to making the homeless feel appreciated and thinking that someone actually cares about them. 

Oftentimes the homeless who are on the streets cold and hungry think that their lives are never going to change or get better. It is a vicious cycle for them, with the end of the journey often not seen. The benefit for the people who take time out of their day and approach the homeless, would most likely feel as if they made a difference, and helped someone in need. The dog being there could give the person the strength and courage to approach the homeless, and provide benefits for all like good karma and hopefully a couple dollars for the homeless to survive off of. 

Overall, the benefits from the dogs being with the homeless can provide a sense of clarity for those struggling individuals and help them conquer their life the best they can.The dogs can break the negative stereotypes that come along with the homeless, and can show that they are people just like us. The more dogs with the homeless, the more they will end up benefiting. Each individual can benefit from different things and people, but at the end of the day, dogs could be the main culprit for achieving these potential benefits that could change the homeless lives.  

References

Are Dogs Children, companions, or just animals? understanding … (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272271895_Are_Dogs_Children_Companions_or_Just_Animals_Understanding_Variations_in_People’s_Orientations_toward_Animals 

Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Does having a dog make you more attractive?. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gone-to-the-dogs/202311/are-dog-people-more-attractive#:~:text=They%20give%20the%20impression%20that,to%20at%20least%20say%20hello.