A study conducted by Israeli researcher Dr. Michel Balaish shows that children whose families own dogs have lower blood pressure, on average, than others.  Balaish tested the children’s blood pressure in various situations and controlled for factors such as weight, height, and medical history.

While few of the children suffered from high blood pressure, he said, children who did not own dogs had higher blood pressure than those who did.  High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and death worldwide.

Balaish said the study was the first of its kind involving children.  The Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer Hospital, Hebrew University, and Gertner Institute contributed to the study.