[My pet, a safeguard for my health]

For some of us, to possess a pet, and particularly a dog, can be the source of great satisfaction. Recently, the opinion has prevailed that pet ownership provides significant beneficial effects in terms of prevention of cardiovascular diseases and could even improve survival after a coronary event. The American Heart Association has recently summoned some experts to express their view on this matter and their group has issued an official statement. We thought it useful to summarize their publication: it is properly cautious and will surely prompt further research; it will also comfort dog owners in their belief that their pet can indeed, in difficult times, be a resourceful helpmate.