Friends With Benefits

Hook up with a healthier, happier you with the help of (wo)man’s best friend.

Corbis/Click Photos

Who wakes you up with a kiss, never spills your secrets and is always happy to see you no matter what? Forget boys, it’s all about our favourite furry friends. Not only do pets pump our brains with feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, studies have shown that pet owners also enjoy the perks of higher self-esteem, less loneliness and a greater sense of belonging.

Bonus? Dog owners get body benefits too, as researchers from Michigan State University found that dog owners are 34 percent more likely to reach recommended exercise goals. Can a boyfriend really do all that? Didn’t think so.