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Animals are a wonderful addition to any family, even when your family is just you.

Animals provide us with unconditional love and constant companionship, two things that are hard to find in other human beings!

It has been said that getting a pet can improve your health-a statement that is more fact than fiction. Believe it or not, having a pet really can improve your health!

Here you will find some scientific evidence that having a pet improves the health of the people who own them.

Pets can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

This is absolutely true! The unconditional love expressed to us from our pets can have a relaxing affect on us that is not mirrored by anything else.

Knowing that there is another living creature in our lives that loves us no matter what is comforting, and that comfort relaxes us, which can cause our blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels to go down.

A 1995 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that pet owners are more likely to survive heart attacks that non-pet owners.

Pets elevate our moods.

Having pets can relieve depression symptoms. The American Geriatrics Society published a study in 1999 that showed senior citizens are less likely to be depressed if they own pets.

Another study done on men who were suffering from AIDS showed that they were less likely to be depressed if they owned pets. They are great at cheering their people up sometimes without meaning to.

Have you tried to stay mad when your cat rubs her face against yours? It is very hard!

We mentioned comfort before as a relaxant and a lowerer of blood pressure and cholesterol.

Pets provide a great deal even in small doses of comfort the repetitive motion of petting a dog or a cat can be soothing.

Having animal company also appeals to our inner instinct to nurture others, and having a pet that needs taking care of feeds that need and also gives us a sense of responsibility.

Pets keep their owners active. Active pets have active owners. Dogs need to be walked and played with as do cats and most other furry creatures.

Getting down and playing with your pet or taking them out to the park is a great way to keep yourself active and healthy.

They also increase our opportunities for socialization.

Talking about our pets is a little bit like talking about our kids. Owners bond over stories of their pets and taking your pet outside or to the park can be a great conversation starter for people who might otherwise be too shy to approach others.

Having a dog, cat, rabbit or any kind of animal company is a big responsibility, but if you think you can care for an animal, the benefits of having one far outweigh any inconveniences you might be uses to deter yourself from visiting your local shelter.

Many groups support the health benefits of pet ownership. You can learn more about the health benefits of pets and how to keep your pets healthy by visiting the following sites.

Health Benefits of Pet-Ownership Strengthens Human-Animal Bond The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people.

Health Benefits of Animals The Delta Society provides abstracts, articles, and bibliographies on the health benefits of animals to people.

Pets can do a great deal to increase our health and moods!