Pets and wellbeing

Pets can bring a sense of well being to our lives. But did you know that having a dog as a companion could add years to your life? Two studies have shown that owning a dog can play a significant role in survival rates for heart attack victims.  Other studies have shown that the presence of animals reduces the anxiety you feel when facing stressful situations.

And there have been numerous studies demonstrating that petting a cat can improve your mental and physical health, including lowering blood pressure. One study from the University of Minnesota found that cat owners are less likely to die by heart attack or stroke than cat-less people--by 30 to 40 percent!