Ever notice how pet owners just seem to have a little more pep in their step? That’s because our pets provide us with a slew of mental health benefits—from combating loneliness to increasing mood boosting chemicals in our brain, pets have a pretty powerful effect on humans.

And the evidence is not purely anecdotal—scientific studies have proven time and time again that owning or interacting with an animal (literally, any kind of animal) will make a tangible difference in your life. That’s why animals are such a popular choice for therapy programs in hospitals, schools, and more.