Animals and humans have had a special bond for centuries; in fact, they have had a close bond dating back nearly 10,000 years. Dogs, in particular, have been with humans (also called. domesticated) for more than 12,000 years. Now, researchers are explaining all the health benefits that pets are associated with, including allergies, blood pressure, stress, and even the length of life.

Let’s take a closer look at how exactly pets can benefit our health. According to the National Institute of Health, a study found that dogs can actually help in the reduction of heart attacks. Those who once suffered a heart attack were given a dog. One year later, scientists noticed overall better health from those who had a dog and who did not. Scientists also found that families who had pets with a newborn were less likely to have symptoms of the allergy. Finally, researches are finding out that people with dogs as pets will likely live longer because dogs naturally need their owners to be more active.

So, if you are ever looking for a good reason to rescue a dog from a local shelter, simply tell your husband/wife/mother/father that you need to for health benefits.