134 | Companion Animals human relationships are known to exert a protective influence against many common life-threatening diseases, probably by buffering people from the negative health consequences of chronic life stress It appears that companion animals may serve a similar function In various studies it has been found that pet owners exhibit fewer physiological risk factors for heart disease than non-owners, as well as demonstrating improved survival with cardiovascular disease In addition, pet owners tend to make less use of public health services, and display less deterioration in health in response to stressful life events The presence of pets also induces short- and long-term reductions in heartrate and blood pressure in people exposed to experimental stressors These findings suggest that companion animals provide a means of augmenting the social support people receive from each other, and that this role may be just as important in huntergatherer societies as it is in our own Despite the apparent contribution of pets to human health and well being, the standard of care provided for these animals by their owners is often less than ideal Unrealistic expectations combined with ignorance of animals’ basic needs are the most common sources of companion animal welfare problems Many pets are kept in unsuitable environmental conditions, and provided with inadequate diets and insufficient exercise and mental stimulation Owners’ efforts to control A man and companion dog enjoy a scenic view (Photos.com)