Excerpt: In today's society there is no doubt that the human-animal bond is stronger than ever.

Approximately 2/3 of people surveyed on pet ownership claim to own a pet and about 60% of those who own pets say their pet is strictly indoors and sleeps in their bedroom. Animals have moved from the backyard to the bedroom and most pet owners consider their companion animal as part of the family. So it comes as no surprise that research has found there are additional human health benefits to owning a pet. Animals have been shown to improve health in several ways and can have social and psychological benefits as well.

Pets have been shown to boost immunity and decrease the risk of allergies or asthma. Several studies have shown that children who grow up with animals either in the home or exposed to them on a farm are less likely to develop allergies or asthma. These children are also shown to have overall stronger immunity as compared to children who are not...