While many apartment communities boast amenities like doggie spas and dog parks making them highly dog-friendly, owners and their four-legged friends can still benefit from getting out of the apartment and exploring neighboring areas.

With the increase in pet owners over the last few years, it seems as though local businesses have begun to prioritize our furry friends.  From local dog parks to trails and even pet-friendly breweries, what’s more fun than bringing your dog along while having some drinks with your friends?

In honor of Pet Appreciation Week, we’re diving into the pet-friendly places around town and why this trend is becoming more popular! But first, here are some of the many benefits of having pets around. A few of these may even surprise you.

They Spread Happiness- It’s no secret that Americans are stressed out! In fact, an American Psychological Association survey states that three out of four Americans have reported experiencing at least one stress symptom in the last month. Pets can help combat your stress and the great news is that when more pets are in public, everyone gets a happiness boost. Playing with pets (whether they’re yours or not) can increase those feel-good chemicals generated in your brain; serotonin and dopamine.

Pets boost your health – Pets can help improve your health by lessening your anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional issues that you can face on a day-to-day basis. Your pet provides social support which allows you to make new, healthier habits. For example, it might not be important to you to go on a walk every day but when your pup is wagging his tail waiting by his leash, you’re more inclined to hit the trail or take that simple stroll around the neighborhood.

They warn us of danger – According to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll, two-thirds of US pet owners say their pets have a sixth sense about bad weather; 72 percent of dog owners and 66 percent of cat owners say their pet has warned them about bad weather. Sometimes it’s not just the weather they have a sixth sense about — this sixth sense can also indicate health-related issues, like warning us if someone might have a seizure. With more pets out in public, we might be able to get advance warning when something goes awry.

Excited to take your pet out and around town? Check out these pet-friendly places below:

O.H.S.O.

• – With three locations throughout the Valley in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, O.H.S.O.’s outdoor patio is the perfect brunch spot to have your little furry friend by your side as you eat, drink and enjoy time with friends.

Postino Winecafé

• – Providing endless water bowl refills to keep your furry friend hydrated and happy, it’s not hard to guess that Postino welcomes four-legged friends.

Morning Squeeze

• – This North Scottsdale breakfast spot offers your furry friend several gourmet meals to make them feel special, including lean chicken chow hound scramble, pup cakes, pancakes with sausage gravy, and doggie biscuits.

Cosmo Dog Park

• – Located on Ray Road off the 202 in Gilbert, Cosmo Dog Park offers an endless amount of running and playing around. With 17 acres of land, that’s endless fun for them and less worrying for you!

Steele Indian School Park Dog Park

• – This Downtown Phoenix dog park makes playing around and having fun with other animals even better with its 2.5 acres of land!

Brat Haus

• – Located in Old Town and Central Phoenix (opening soon), this brewery celebrates your fur babies with style! Brat Haus has its own dog menu, free dog brats and homemade treats during happy hour — or should we say yappy hour– and hosts dog birthday parties!

Kierland Commons & Scottsdale Quarter

• – Now you can shop till you drop with your pup in tow. A majority of the shops and restaurants in these outdoor malls are dog-friendly. At Kierland Commons a few of our favorite are: Loft, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, ARHAUS, and Shake Shack ( they have doggy ice cream and treats). At Scottsdale Quarter, be sure to check out Zinburger, West Elm, Dog Haus, Bath and Body Works, CB2, Pottery Barn, and more. Both locations which are across the street from each other have events in their courtyards throughout the year such as movies and even pet adoption events all of which you and your furry friend are more than welcome to join.

So go on, check out these pet-friendly places with your pups! If you have other places in mind, it’s as simple as checking the shops or restaurants pet policy before going. You will not be disappointed!

Here at PB Bell and all our communities, we’re huge animal lovers, so for the month of June we’re asking you to help us collect items for our Pet Donation Drive. Click to see HALO Animal Rescue’s wish list. Donations can be dropped off to our corporate office or to any of our P.B. Bell communities across the Valley. Any donations are appreciated!