Joanna Menzies runs a dog walking and cat care business in and around Wantage

THIS week I’ve been looking after an adorable Miniature Schnauzer for one of our older customers while she’s been away.

Mrs H is 93 and tells me she’s never been without a dog in all her years, to which she attributes her long life of good physical and mental health.

It’s clear that pets bring a lot of joy into our lives, making us laugh, comforting us and always being there to excitedly greet us when we get home, but is Mrs H right – can they really help us live longer too?

I decided to look into this and was surprised to find some very pawsitive results!

Studies have shown that pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It’s even claimed that simply stroking a cat or dog can decrease your heart rate, reducing your risk of heart disease.

Astoundingly, according to the National Institute of Health, dog owners are significantly more likely to still be alive one year after a heart attack, regardless of the severity of the attack.

Not only does it seem pets are good for our hearts, having a furry friend at home has also been associated with lessened depression and loneliness, higher self-esteem, and improved stress levels. All of which are particularly important for elderly people, who can often feel isolated and therefore benefit significantly from having a furry companion at home.

Of course, all breeds of dogs need regular, daily walks in order to stay happy and healthy, and guess what? So do we!

Us humans know we should exercise daily, but we have a tendency to get a bit lazy – so a wagging tail waiting at the front door may be just the encouragement needed to get us outside and moving.

Once out and about, you’ll find that the pet owner community is an incredibly friendly one. Having a dog is a great way to meet new people and stay sociable – you’ll find that fellow walkers will stop to talk to you and you’ll start recognising both the people and their pups!

There’s no guarantee that owning a pet will help you live longer, and adopting a cat or dog doesn’t come without financial and emotional costs, but seeing the delight on Mrs H’s face when she was reunited with her Miniature Schnauzer today showed me that, even if our pets don’t bring more life to our heart, they’ll definitely bring more heart to our life.