Its official pets are good for us.

A major report into the beneficial role pets play in our lives has been sent to Britain's GPs. Called 'Pets are good for you...' the report has been compiled by The Pet Care Trust, an organization representing professionals working with pets. The wealth of data in the 32-page document reveals the important part animals play in keeping the nation healthy.

Benefits of pet ownership include:·    

• Lowered blood pressure.
• Reduced stress and anxiety.
• Better and speedier recovery from illness.
• Better survival from heart attacks.
• Fewer visits to the doctor.

A pet can even reduce headaches, indigestion and insomnia.

One university researcher investigating survival rates following heart attacks, James Lynch, revealed: "Those heart patients who had pets had a far better chance of living than those who did not have pets.”

'Pets are good for you...' has been sent to3,500 doctors across Britain, to make them aware of the beneficial effects of pet owning on family life.

Children of all ages are helped by contact with a pet - there is scientific evidence that children who own pets have stronger immune systems and miss fewer days off sick from school. Dog ownership in particular is associated with greater family cohesion; one scientist found that there is an increase in family interactions when a dog is introduced into the household.

Elderly people also benefit greatly. A Warwick University study showed that owning a pet increased activity levels, offered companionship and improved communication with others by 'breaking the ice'. Pets also help older people to maintain a self-care routine, such as sticking to regular meals, keeping up an adequate room temperature and going out on shopping trips.

The report also says that dogs can help people of all ages to make friends, by acting as 'social lubricants' - smoothing interaction between humans. In fact, 40 per cent of dog owners said they were more likely to make friends as a result of owning their animals. And then, of course, there are all those dog walks helping to keep you fit.

_{Source Your Dog Mag.}