My mother lives alone. My brother and I have suggested that she get a pet for companionship, but she is worried that she might catch a disease from the animal. Could having a dog or cat really affect her health?Answer: As most pet owners will attest, animals can be lovable, amusing and a wonderful source of company. They may also be good for our health. As far back as 1980, doctors reported that pet owners who had heart attacks lived longer than their petless peers.

That study unleashed several others: One concluded that pets did little for cardiovascular health, while another found benefit from dogs but not cats. More recent studies dispute earlier findings that linked pet ownership with a reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Whether a pet might affect your mother's health, for better or worse, depends on her connection to the animal, whether it gets her moving and whether the animal is healthy. If your mother walks a dog regularly, she'll be exercising more and likely talking with people in her neighborhood -- and both the exercise and the social interactions will give her a boost. Even if she adopts a cat that never leaves the house, she'll probably enjoy discussing her pet with other animal lovers.

As you note, a pet can be a great companion. Pets can distract people from pain and prevent patients from dwelling on their problems. That's why clinicians sometimes suggest pets for people who are lonely, depressed or isolated.

These benefits are sometimes balanced by emotional difficulties. Most pet owners consider their pet a member of the family, and the illness or death of a pet will cause genuine grief. A pet could also harm your mother's health if she is allergic to the animal's saliva or dander or if the pet doesn't have the proper shots.

You don't have to avoid pets to protect yourself, but you do need to care for them properly. Like people, they deserve appropriate health care, nutrition and exercise.A pet may bring your mother joy and companionship. And with a few simple precautions, it's likely to do her health more good than harm.