One reason I (H. K.) am one of the millions of dog owners is that my dog Cocoa shows great happiness at seeing me, no matter how grouchy, distracted, or sad I may feel or act. In fact, researchers find that because people perceive their pets as showing appreciation, being supportive, and giving pleasure, pets are helpful in reducing stressful feelings and lowering blood pressure (K. Allen, 2003; Lilienfeld & Arkowitz, 2008a; Springen, 2008). !e healing power of pets can be so strong that patients with heart failure by dogs rather than people (Song, 2005). Some doctors have begun to encourage hospital patients to have their pets visit them (Peters, 2008).