There has been no shortage of studies examining the human-pet relationship, and pretty much all of them find positive results for the human side of the equation. Cat owners have a lower percentage of death from cardiovascular diseases. Petting a dog can boost your immune system. A more recent study from Purdue found that the use of guinea pigs in classroom settings has been found to improve sociability in autistic children. One comprehensive 1991 study found that "pet acquisition may have positive effects on human health and behavior, and that in some cases these effects are relatively long term."
Case closed then, right? If you don't have a pet, you're basically committing suicide. Not so fast.
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