It turns out loving and walking the dog can increase your life expectancy.
Researchers at Missouri University studied dog owners and non dog and found that adults older than 60 years with a strong bond with their dog tended to exercise more and live longer.
The physical exercise results in less visits to the doctor, not to mention the social interaction with other humans as a result of having a dog.
Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine who took part in the research, said: "These results can provide the basis for medical professionals to recommend pet ownership for older adults and can be translated into reduced health care expenditures for the aging population."
Retirement communities could adopt pet-friendly policies, such as establishing dog walking trails and dog exercise areas, in order to improve their residents' health, she said.
It's a no brainer.