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Owning a dog may protect against later mental illness

Ask the Doctors

Dear Doctors: My wife read somewhere that when kids grow up with a dog in the house, it can keep them from getting schizophrenia. I know that having a pet can help kids develop responsibility, but preventing mental illness seems like a stretch. Is this based on psychology β€” or something else?

Dear Reader: Your wife is referring to the results of a study published several years ago th…

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