by KYW's Nan Talleno

There are many reasons to love your dog.  And here’s yet another.  Sharing your life with your lovable companion can actually improve your health. 

Numerous studies by medical professionals have determined that there are vast benefits to your overall well being by having a dog in your life.  Blood pressure and cholesterol levels were found to be lower in dog owners.  Studies have proven that pets aid in a patient’s recovery from illness and can induce an overall quicker recovery time.  Research shows that owning a pet can even increase a person’s chance of survival following a life threatening illness. 

The use of therapy dogs in recovery has proven highly successful.  Just the act of petting a dog can greatly relax a patient and bring about therapeutic results. Petting a dog also helps to bring about better emotional health as well. And studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA have shown that dog owners make overall fewer trips to the doctor’s office. 

We all know our dogs make us happy and it’s nice to know that they help to keep us healthy too.