Dear Doctors: I have shared my home with pets my whole life. I am now a 76-year-old widow, and my menagerie is down to two small dogs. I just saw on the news that pets keep you mentally sharp. Is that true?
Answer: A wealth of research has found that living with a companion animal is associated with a wide range of health benefits, including enhancing the pet owner’s physical, emotional and mental health and generally improving their quality of life.
