Does anyone here come home from a long day of work and immediately look to their dog or cat for a hug? Whether you’re a dog person, cat person, bird person, or exotic animal person, having a pet in your life can greatly increase your sense of well being.

Pets provide support, comfort, and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Owning a pet has been known to lower blood pressure, reduce the chances of depression, and aid in the recovery of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks. If you’re part of a family with young children, pets help kiddos, too! Their dander helps young children develop stronger immune systems and guard against some allergies. Pets can also soothe children and give them a sense of responsibility.

Pets keep you active. There have been many rainy days when I haven’t wanted leave the house to walk my dog, but after seeing those big eyes and knowing he’s been cooped up inside all day, I grab my rain jacket, put on my waterproof boots, and head out for an afternoon walk of splashing in puddles and getting some exercise for the both of us.

Pets help you socialize. Walking your dog gets you out of the house and most likely towards places like parks, rivers or the beach, where other dog owners tend to congregate. Meeting people who share your passions can improve your social life and give you a greater sense of connectedness to your community.

You’re guaranteed to have more love and laughter in your life. The rewards of seeing your puppy’s wagging tail when he greets you, getting slobbery good morning kisses, or watching your cat chase those tiny catnip-filled mice is enough to melt away even the worst bad mood and get you smiling. Plus, it’s totally worth the tumbleweeds of fluff rolling down the hallway or the muddy paw prints at the front door.

If you don’t have a pet in your life right now, that’s okay because you can volunteer at your local animal shelter or humane society and gain a lot of these same benefits. If that doesn’t fit into your schedule, there are whole bunch of YouTube channels dedicated to funny and cute animal videos!