Is it true that keeping a pet dog at home lowers your blood pressure?

I've read on several articles about the benefits of keeping a dog as a pet at home, that owners' blood pressure lowers. Could anyone confirm this backed up by a scientific study?
I would appreciate it profusely. Thank you!

check out this website... there is a link to the American Heart Association where it cites a study:

http://www.health-alliance.com/contentarchive/January00/heart.html

PAPER BLISS STICKERS 3D Choice Christmas Baby Beach Pets Grad Tags more $2.25 Time Remaining: 3h 53m Buy It Now for only: $2.25

American Tradition Ribbon Cats Dogs pet 5 yd $2.25 Time Remaining: 6h 52m Buy It Now for only: $2.25

DOG BONE 2 hole Flatback BUTTONS Bones Scrapbooking Sewing Card Making Puppy Pet $2.38 Time Remaining: 7h 24m Buy It Now for only: $2.38

LITTLE PAW PRINT Buttons Scrapbooking Sewing Dog Cat Puppy Kitten Pets $2.50 Time Remaining: 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2.50

PAW PRINTS Buttons Sewing Scrapbooking Dog Cat Puppy Kitten Kitty Pets Stamping $2.38 Time Remaining: 7h 29m Buy It Now for only: $2.38

PRISM PETS STICKER STICKERS Dog Cat Bird Bunny Fish $1.35 Time Remaining: 9h 48m Buy It Now for only: $1.35

NEW Pet Twill Ribbon 2 spools with 3 yards each cat dog $0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 45m

I LOVE MY DOG 11 Dimensional Stickers KCompany Dogs Pets Puppies $4.74 Time Remaining: 11h 27m Buy It Now for only: $4.74

Daisy Hill Scrapbooking Stickers Embellishments PET CAT DOG ADHESIONS $3.95 Time Remaining: 12h 50m Buy It Now for only: $3.95

24 Cute Dog Paw Plated Charm pandent pet jewelry tag little craft bow K16 Silver $1.36 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 58m

Mrs Grossmans Family Pet Cats Dogs Bunny 25 9x6 Giant Sheets Stickers Bulk Lot $11.19 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 33m

Big Bone Pet ID Tags Double Side Engraved Stainless Steel Tag Dog Name Tag $0.01 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 20h 59m

28 UPICK POODLE DOG PET FLATBACK SCRAPBOOKING LOT B1385 $2.37 Time Remaining: 23h 41m Buy It Now for only: $2.37

Pets Button Theme Pack Dog Bones $2.99 Time Remaining: 1d 56m Buy It Now for only: $2.99

NEW Pet Dog Bone Ex Thick Chipboard Album Scrapbooking $4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 21m Buy It Now for only: $4.99

PAW BRADS 2 colors Scrapbooking Cat Dogs Puppy Kitten Pets Card Making Stamping $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 40m

Colorbok Remember When PETS Die Cuts 12 Designs DOG CAT $1.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $1.99

DOG HEAD BRADS 4 Shades Scrapbooking Face Puppy Pets $1.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $1.99

Susan Branch Dogs Sticker Sheet Puppy Pets $0.25 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 8h 32m

NEW DOG BRADS PETS PAPER PIECING SCRAPBOOKING STAMPING CARD MAKING $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 24m Buy It Now for only: $2.99

Sticko Dogs Puppies Family Pets Bones Balls Stickers $1.23 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 46m Buy It Now for only: $1.23

PAW PRINT DOG STICKERS LOT NEW BLACK Pet CAT Puppy $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 58m

Around the Block Puppie Dog Chipboard Shapes 15 Pet $5.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 51m Buy It Now for only: $5.99

PENNY BLACK RUBBER STAMPS EVERY PETS DREAM DOG HAS GIFT SACK STAMP $11.85 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $11.85

PUPPY PALS Flatback Buttons Scrapbooking Dogs Pets House Bones Heart Paws Bowl $2.38 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $2.38

BLONDE DOG 1 8 Quicklets Eyelets S H SPECIAL Scrapbooking Puppy Pets Card Making $0.99 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 40m

Hambly Shiny Foil Dog Stickers Pets $0.25 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 42m

16 GOLDEN LABRADOR DOG Dogs Pets PET Lab Lang Stickers $1.25 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1.25

PINK POODLE BRADS Scrapbooking French Dog Puppy Pets Card Making Stamping $1.89 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1.89

40 Padded Poodle Dog Furry Felt Applique motif puppy pet doll sewing trim H73 $4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 17h 5m

DOG Brad Mates SCRAPBOOKING crafts FAMILY pets PUPPY $2.88 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $2.88

10 yd Mix Grosgrain 7 8 Ribbon puppy bow pet tag R Dog $7.99 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 25m Buy It Now for only: $7.99

BUY3 GET 1FREE Scrapbooking Cat Dog Lion Rabbit Sheep Animal Raised Stickers $1.14 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 31m Buy It Now for only: $1.14

Love My Pet Ribbon Scrapbooking Card Making Dog Cat Puppy Kitten $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 12h 29m

Jolees Lot of 6 Family Pets Cats Dogs New in pkg $3.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 14h 17m

Around The Block BRADS DOG 42 brads pets offer combined shipping $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 20m

Around The Block SOFT BRADS DOGS 5 brads pets $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 20m

Around The Block MAGNIFYING GLASS FRAMES PETS 3 frames cat dog fish $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 20m

MY FIRST PET FISH BIRD DOG CAT Tumblebeasts Stickers $2.49 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 8m Buy It Now for only: $2.49

PINK POODLE BRADS S H SPECIAL Scrapbooking Dog Puppy Pets Card Making Stamping $0.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 39m

DOG BONE 1 8 Quicklets Eyelets Scrapbooking S H SPECIAL Puppy Pets Stamping $0.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 40m

15 POODLE PUPPY DOG PET FLAT BACK SCRAPBOOKS CARD B878 $1.49 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 49m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

Lot of 32 DIFFERENT Mrs Grossmans Stuck on Pets Dog Stickers NWT SEE PICTURES $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 14h 6m

Jolees Scrapbook Stickers Embellishment DOGGIE TREATS FAMILY PET SNACKS $2.95 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 23m Buy It Now for only: $2.95

Jolees Scrapbook Stickers Embellishment DOG HOUSE FAMILY PET $2.95 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 23m Buy It Now for only: $2.95

Dog BONE 1 8 Quicklets Eyelets Puppy Scrapbooking Pets Card Making Stamping $1.25 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 1m Buy It Now for only: $1.25

Our Pets Kalm Gentle for Dogs Nutritional and Herbal Supplement 60ct $10.99 Time Remaining: 5d 8h 53m Buy It Now for only: $10.99

DOG BONES Pet Dog Puppy Ecru Twill 1 2 x 3 Feet $1.59 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $1.59

DOG BONES Pet Dog Puppy Satin Brown 1 2 x 3 Feet $1.59 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 50m Buy It Now for only: $1.59

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog House 3D Stickers $2.54 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $2.54

8 Lang BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER DOG ANIMAL PET RED COLLAR BIRCH TREE Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

8 Lang TRIO OF BROWN LABRADOR PUPPY PUPPIES DOGS ANIMALS PETS FRIENDS Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

8 HTF Lang TRIO LABRADOR DOGS DOCK WHARF WATER DRIFTWOOD ANIMALS PETS Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

8 HTF Lang BLACK PAIR LABRADOR PUPPIES PUPPY DOGS ANIMALS FRIENDS PETS Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

8 Lang YELLOW LABRADOR RETRIEVER PET DOG WITH TEDDY BEAR FRIEND TOY PAL Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

8 Lang RETRIEVER DOG PUPPY CAT KITTEN FRIENDS ANIMALS PETS PALS BUDDIES Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog Treats 3D Stickers $2.54 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $2.54

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog Beds 3D Stickers $2.54 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $2.54

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog Walker 3D Stickers $2.54 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 56m Buy It Now for only: $2.54

Mrs Grossman Stickers PET DOG BALL ROPE TOY $1.25 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 55m Buy It Now for only: $1.25

5 ANIMALS Pets HAMSTERS Birds Dogs Sandylion Stickers $1.06 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 58m Buy It Now for only: $1.06

BASIC GREY scrapbook painted brads MAX WHISKERS collection cat dog pet $3.99 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $3.99

BASIC GREY scrapbook craft buttons MAX WHISKERS collection cat dog pet $3.99 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3.99

DOG HEAD BRADS 4 Shades Scrapbooking Face Puppy Pets Card Making Stamping $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 40m

BASIC GREY scrapbook epoxy stickers MAX WHISKERS collection animal pet dog cat $3.16 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 57m Buy It Now for only: $3.16

5y Dog Paw 7 8 Grosgrain Print Ribbon bow pet R85 White $4.05 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 8m Buy It Now for only: $4.05

BNIP Grossman VICTORIAN EPOXY GLITTERED ASSORTED DOG BREEDS PET ANIMAL Stickers $1.49 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $1.49

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog Tags 3D Stickers $2.84 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 45m Buy It Now for only: $2.84

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog Treats 3D Stickers $2.84 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 46m Buy It Now for only: $2.84

Jolees By You Family Pets Puppy Dog House 3D Stickers $2.84 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 48m Buy It Now for only: $2.84

Adopt a pet save a life dog sticker vinyl decal 4 x 4 $2.99 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 57m Buy It Now for only: $2.99

BASIC GREY scrapbook stitched brads MAX WHISKERS collection cat dog pet $3.99 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $3.99

Scrapbooking Cards FUN Stickers CAPTIONS SAYINGS Pets Dogs Cats ++ $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 14m

DOG PET CUTE PUFFY SCRAPBOOKING STICKERS 3D DECAL + $3.99 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.99

14 UPICK BOW PET PUPPY DOG FLATBACK SCRAPBOOKING B1379 $1.42 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 7m Buy It Now for only: $1.42

14 UPICK POODLE DOG PET FLATBACK SCRAPBOOKING LOT B1385 $1.42 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1.42

Sticko Family Pets Puppy Dog Mans Best Friend Stickers $1.69 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 47m Buy It Now for only: $1.69