| Did you know that there are key health | | | | |
| benefits that can result from owning a pet? | | | | Pets can help their owners overcome |
| Having one can enhance your physical, mental | | | | depression through their companionship and |
| and social wellbeing. | | | | unconditional love. They seem to possess the |
| | | | natural ability to help you relax and enjoy |
| 1. How can a pet help your physical health? | | | | life more. |
| | | | |
| Owning a dog, for instance, will encourage | | | | Pets can also help when you experience times |
| you to get more exercise. With your faithful | | | | of loneliness. English poet, Alexander Pope, |
| friend at your side, you're much more likely | | | | has stated that histories are more full of |
| to go for a walk. Walking is one of the best | | | | examples of the fidelity of dogs than of |
| health activities you can do. While walking | | | | friends. According to a Chinese proverb, dogs |
| you're also more likely to socially interact | | | | have so many friends because they wag their |
| with your neighbors because your special pal | | | | tails, not their tongues. |
| often acts as an ice-breaker. | | | | |
| | | | When you take care of a pet you have to |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | develop a routine of getting out, buying |
| | | | food and providing exercise. This can help |
| Since 1995 SEO/SEM tools, training, and | | | | fight off depression and loneliness. The |
| professional "full service" Search Engine | | | | simple responsiblity of pet care can help |
| Marketing help at very affordable rates. | | | | you get your mind off yourself and your |
| | | | problems. |
| Research led by Dr. Karen Allen at the State | | | | |
| University of New York at Buffalo shows that | | | | 3. How can a pet enhance your wellbeing in |
| pets can help lower blood pressure. | | | | the area of relationships? |
| Stockbrokers with high blood pressure were | | | | |
| studied to see what happened when they | | | | American Animal Hospital Association |
| adopted a pet dog or cat. Researchers | | | | President, Link Wellborn, believes that pets |
| concluded that having a pet nearby helps | | | | are more than just a member of the family - |
| control increases in blood pressure due to | | | | they're central to a healthy lifestyle. |
| stress. | | | | |
| | | | Pets help lessen tension between family |
| In his studies Alan Beck, ScD (Professor of | | | | members and add a lot of fun and |
| Animal Ecology, Purdue University) found | | | | unconditional love to the homes where they |
| that the simple act of petting your dog | | | | live. When pets do cute and funny things - |
| slows your heart rate and causes your blood | | | | which they often do - family members react |
| pressure to drop. | | | | by laughing and being more relaxed. |
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| An added health advantage from pet ownership | | | | If you don't have a pet yet, consider making |
| is that patients may live longer after heart | | | | one part of your family, but make sure you |
| attacks. Some doctors recommend that a heart | | | | have the time and resources necessary to |
| attack survivor adopt a dog because research | | | | provide a stable loving home for your new |
| has shown that a faithful canine companion | | | | friend. |
| can help prolong an owner's life. | | | | |
| | | | If you choose a dog as your new pal, remember |
| 2. How Can A Pet Improve Your Mental Health? | | | | this wise old saying. "A dog is man's best |
| | | | friend." That's true in more ways than one. |
| Sharing your life with a cat may help your | | | | You'll get unconditional love, |
| mental health. A study conducted at | | | | companionship, loyalty and relaxation in |
| Australia's University of New England found | | | | return for your investment of time and |
| that people who own feline friends may | | | | material resources. |
| experience fewer psychiatric disturbances | | | | |
| than those without cats. | | | | What a bargain! |