In today’s edition of the Powell Tribune we pay tribute to our four-legged family members. Whether it’s dogs, cats and horses or something more exotic, pets have a major impact on the lives of their owners.

Author Anthony Douglas Williams was once quoted as saying, “When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”

We completely agree.

Pets have personalities, likes and dislikes, habits and quirks. When a dog hears its owner say it’s time for a “b-a-t-h,” it runs and hides. When a cat sees its owner focusing entirely too much on a laptop, it plops down on the computer and demands attention.

When the vacuum cleaner comes out, pets often hide until the coast is clear. But, open a jar of peanut butter or a can of tuna and they come darting out to be by your side to “share.”

Of course, animals can be trained to have a job, such as police dogs, guides for the blind or even for emotional therapy to help with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, it doesn’t take special training for an animal to have a major impact on someone’s life.

Young and old, and everyone in between, can benefit from having a pet.

Caring for animals is an excellent way for children to learn responsibility or even open the doors to possible careers in the veterinary sciences.

Alzheimer’s patients have fewer problems if there is an animal in the home, according to Lynette Hart, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Stress is extremely unhealthy and pets are a great natural remedy, according to Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health.

Stress increases the body’s production of cortisol and norepinephrine, both of which are damaging to the immune system and increase plaque buildup in the arteries — which can lead to heart disease, according to Justice.

But a little bit of canine or feline therapy can work wonders. Anyone who has played with an animal knows how enjoyable it can be, and that pleasure is caused by elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine. As nerve transmitters, they have a calming effect like a drug, according to Justice.

On top of all of this, there’s the obvious benefit of companionship that can help combat feelings of depression and loneliness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC also states the obvious, that pet owners are more active and therefore more healthy. After all, it’s hard to be a couch potato when Fido wants to play or Fluffy is feeling frisky.

So basically, pets are more than just friends; they are downright medicinal and therapeutic — although we may not be doctors, we highly recommend animals as the cure for whatever is ailing you.