A recent article by Psychology Today, states that your dog may improve your heart health and reduce stress.  The article summaries by saying that studies show that having a pet can actually reduce the chance of heart illness and blood pressure related illness. Personally speaking,  I completely understand the effect a family pet can have on the attitude or “mood” of a family.  For me, even on the worst day, when our boxer dogs are so energetic and happy to see me when I come home it’s hard not to smile.  The stress of the day seems to go away when my focus changes to petting and greeting them. Using pets as therapy is not uncommon. In…