National Pet Day is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of April to recognize pet owners and their unique bond with their pets.

It is estimated that 68 percent of U.S. households have a pet. Many studies have shown that owning a pet and having animal interaction could reduce stress-related hormones like cortisol. Apart from reducing loneliness and providing a sense of comfort and support, interaction with pets could also reduce blood pressure and depression.

A study showed that people with borderline hypertension showed significant improvement in their condition within a few months after adopting dogs from a shelter. The reports show that pet owners above the age of 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to the hospital when compared to those without pets.

Pets are often found to be helpful in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder as studies have shown that while playing with guinea pigs in the classroom, their anxiety levels dropped.

Stroking or hugging a pet helps to fulfill the basic human need for touch and can have a therapeutic effect on human minds. The researchers have found that even hard-core criminals in prison have long-term positive behavioral changes after interacting with pets as pets can instill the feeling of mutual affection in them.

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Here are some quotes about pets that will help you understand the benefits of keeping them: courtesy: Brainy Quote, HITC

  1. "Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." - George Eliot
  2. "For as long as I can remember, I've always had pets. Something about the connection you share with this entirely different species just blows my mind." - Reid Scott
  3. "Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny, and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children." - Michael Morpurgo
  4. "Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life." - James Cromwell
  5. "It's difficult to understand why people don't realize that pets are gifts to mankind." - Linda Blair
  6. "Pets have more love and compassion in them than most humans." - Robert Wagner
  7. "I really love pets. They're like children. They know if you really love them or not. You can't fool them." - Donna Douglas
  8. "Pets have made us better." - Beth Ostrosky Stern
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