Pets can strengthen children's immune system, study shows

Health benefits of pet ownership for children

source: John von Radowitz
Independent June 15 2002 p6

Researchers from the University of Warwick, England, have found that children from families with pets have stronger immune systems, according to saliva tests. Their immunoglobulin A antibody levels were more stable. These children also fell ill less frequently, with fewer days off school, a trend especially noticeable among younger children from five to eight -years-old. While having a pet seems to be good for children on the whole, children can also catch diseases and parasites such as roundworms, from pets.
GN,HH