The special bond between humans and dogs has been scientifically proven to help people live longer. 70 years of global research has found that owning a dog "is actively protective against dying of any cause." There's a 24 percent drop in "cause mortality" for people who have a dog in their life. People who walk their dogs tend to get 30 minutes of extra exercise than those who don't. Also, petting a dog can reduce your blood pressure. This continues to be true year after year. Do you feel better with a pet in your life?