Susan Helmink with the Care Center explains how pets can help benefit your life.

1) Stimulate exercise. Pets, particularly dogs, can help individuals to obtain, restore (e.g. physical therapy), or enhance their physical fitness. Pets provide an incentive and motivation to move and exercise regularly. Exercising with a dog could replace a gym membership.

2) Provide a focus for our attention. Pets provide close and reliable contact. Over time, that dependability provides security similar to attachment among family members. Petting a dog and observing fish have been shown to decrease blood pressure.

3) Encourage touch and care. Humans have a need for touch, but we lose opportunities for touch as we grow older. Showing affection toward a pet is more socially acceptable. Having a pet can give people a reason to get up in the morning and keep going because they know their pets are dependent upon them.

4) Decrease loneliness. Pets help ease isolation, provide an outlet for us to talk through our feelings, and don't judge us. They don't care what kind of job we have, what we wear, how we might differ from others, etc.

5) Encourage laughter. We can play and be silly with our pets in ways that aren't socially acceptable with other adults. This can release tension and stress.

6) Encourage social contact. Pets offer a topic of conversation, and people out with their pets often seem more approachable. This can lead to friendships and enjoyable activities with other people.