Pet Smarts: 8 Reasons Having a Dog or Cat Is Good for Your Health

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They Teach Your Kids to Be Nicer People

Boys and girls who live with pets are more empathetic and social than kids who don't, according to a Croatian study. And allowing boys to take responsibility for feeding, walking, and grooming a dog lets them practice nurturing skills that girls typically develop while playing house, explains sociologist Clinton R. Sanders, PhD, author of Understanding Dogs: Living and Working with Canine Companions.

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