And, as dog walkers know, pet owners do talk to each other. A pet is a social asset. Owning a pet can also reduce your risk of heart disease. And those pet owners with heart disease have a better chance of surviving than non-pet owners. Talking to and stroking your pet can actually lower your blood pressure.
Pets are particularly good for elderly people people.
They can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, and help socially by becoming a focus for activity and a topic of conversation. Continuing projects funded by Waltham include the study of the role of pets in child development, and continuing research to establish the exact mechanisms by which pets benefit their owners. Waltham remain dedicated to furthering the study of the bond between humans and our animal companions. They are committed to encouraging responsible pet ownership through an understanding of the needs of pets, and aim to promote a wider recognition of the medical and social value of companion animals. A number of empirical studies have investigated how children interact with pets and how they view their relationships with animals, including pets.