Of course, there are lots of reasons to own a pet. For the elderly in particular, companionship and keeping busy both tend towards the top of the list. But anyone who’s seen Lassie knows that dogs can be a lot more useful than simply being companionable. The American Kennel Club has a great story about a Lassie-esque dog who saved his elderly owner who had become lost in the woods. And the article is full of lots of other, similar anecdotes. Man’s best friend holds that spot for a reason.
