Stress relief. The verdict is in: dogs are better than vacations. The affection and loving acceptance we get from dogs are among the most effective soothers of human stress.
Lower blood pressure. Whether through the increased exercise of daily walks or the above mentioned stress relief, dogs have been shown to reduce high blood pressure.
Lower cholesterol. Dog guardians typically have lower cholesterol levels than people with no dogs, possibly because dog people might adopt a healthier lifestyle overall.
Pain reduction. People recovering from surgeries or living with chronic pain report experiencing less pain and fatigue after spending as little as 15 minutes petting a dog.