Caring for a pet improves their outlook on life. They view the pet as more than just a dog or cat. Companion animals are also especially beneficial to sick children and those with a terminal illness. Sharp told of a young girl with terminal brain cancer who wanted a boxer puppy. Her parents got her one, and the girl who previously did not want to get out of bed began to interact with the puppy as much as her strength and health allowed.
Pets provide health benefits in several other ways.
Playing with and walking pets gives exercise that many people do not get otherwise. Pets are fun to watch and people often laugh at their antics. You laugh with the animal and that's good for you. In 1992, the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia did a comparative health study of 5,741 people. It found that pet owners had lower blood pressure, and plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did non-owners.