An overview of studies sponsored by the National Institute of Health finds that people with companion animals enjoy a number of both physiological and psychological health benefits.

One NIH-funded study examined 421 patients who had suffered heart attacks, finding that one year later those who owned dogs were significantly more likely to be alive than those who did not have dogs, regardless of severity of heart attack.

Another study examined 240 married couples finding that those who owned companion animals had lower heart rates and blood pressure than those without companion animals. In this study, companion animal owners also had more mild responses and quicker recovery times from stress when they were with their companion animals than when they were with a spouse or friend.

Other findings also suggest that dog owners get more exercise than those without dogs. An NIH study examined over 2,000 adults and found that those who walked their dogs regularly were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t. A separate NIH study which followed more than 2,500 adults ages 71-82 years for three years found that those who walked their dogs faster and for longer periods of time each week had greater mobility inside their homes than others.