There’s no doubt about it-pets cheer people up. They wait by the door for you to get home, they cuddle with you at night and, if you’ll let them, they’ll even share a meal with you.

But can pets actually work as an immune system booster? Many would say that they can, and they do. Research conducted on ill hospital patients and pet-therapy dogs shows that visiting with animals can: relieve depression and loneliness, provide distraction from pain and illness, and reduce symptoms induced by stress.

When someone is under a great amount of stress, it can lead to a weakened immune system, and if you are a cancer patient, for example, you want all the immunities your can get.

Pets can also take part in helping accident victims through the trying period of rehabilitation. Brushing your dog or cat’s coat, or playing fetch with your pup can work as low impact muscle exercise important to a full recovery.