If you are a dog owner, you don’t need to be convinced that your relationship with your canine companion is beneficial to you both. After more than 14,000 years of human beings keeping dogs as pets, there is no question that owning a dog must have benefits for both parties. Today, almost 40% of Australians and 37% of Americans enjoy these benefits of being a dog owner. Scientific research has provided evidence that pet ownership is associated with aspects of a healthy lifestyle, from additional physical activity to weight loss to companionship and social support.