 Healthy Benefits of Pet Parenthood Research shows that pets offer a number of physical and psychological health benefits like keeping you socially active, protecting your heart, providing companionship, increasing physical activity. Here is a brief look into a few of the many health benefits that being a pet parent can bring. Dogs keep you socially active. Studies have shown that people are more socially active with a dog in the room than with no dog. Dogs were also shown to increase the social activity among persons with Alzheimer's disease of a nursing home. Cats can protect your heart. Research has shown the long-term benefits of owning a cat include protection of your heart. In a study that was focused specifically on the effects of cat ownership on heart attack and stroke victims, it was found that both past and current cat owners were significantly more likely to survive a heart attack than those who never owned cats. Birds are lifelong friends. Many birds of the parent species can outlive you. Bird parents find peace and comfort knowing they've got a friend for life. In our era of increasingly sedentary lifestyles, simply walking out to a barn, grooming, especially a grey horse, lifting a saddle or riding a horse can provide more physical activity than most people get their entire day. Along with the health benefits of pet ownership comes both personal and financial responsibility. Pets need nutritious food, shelter and veterinary care. The most important thing to remember, happy healthy pets equal happy healthy owners. At the Professional Supplement Center, we carry many quality lines of pet supplements to support your pet's overall health and wellness. If you would like to speak with someone about which products may be right for you and your pets, please call or email us and one of our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.