Go get a pet

The Fall newsletter from Anthem Blue Cross and an article in the Nov/Dec issue of AARP both tout the benefits of having a pet. There are almost 2x as many pets in an American household than there are children under the age of 18. Our pet population is exploding and the Nation Institute of Health has launched workshops and studies on the benefits of pet ownership. Pet ownership forces people to exercise more regulary. Studies have found that being near a pet lowers a persons blood pressure, an effect that a family member or close friend cannot do. When a person interacts with a pet the central nervous system has been found to actually release hormones such as oxytocin which produces feelings of pleasure. Not only do the humans release a pleasure hormone but the animal does as well which creates a calming effect for both the pet and the human. Go on out and get yourself a pet.