Dr. Jesus Aramendi is regional medical director for the southeast region of Banfield Pet Hospital. He started as a veterinarian more than 15 years ago and has been with Banfield for the last nine. Between his career in the field, his personal experience with pets from childhood and the data he sees coming out of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation, he believes strongly in the health benefits of having a pet in your life.

The weather outside may be frightful, but we’ve come up with 50 ways you can still have a blast this winter.

BY Neil Petersen

We often take it for granted that being in a romantic relationship is a good thing and that being single means being relatively lonely. Culturally, the common message seems to be that having a long-term romantic partner is preferable, and that being single means being alone. So does the science back this idea up?

By Colleen Oakley

Let's face it, ladies: Doctor visits are short. And they're getting shorter. What if your doctor had more time? She might tell you the same things that OB-GYN Alyssa Dweck, MD, co-author of V Is for Vagina, wants you to know. Consider Dweck's tips your prescription for a lifetime of wellness.

I met Jonathan on a sunny Sunday afternoon at a café in my local hometown—we were set up by mutual friends, a rare occurrence in the day and age of dating websites and apps. I shook his hand and our conversation started with casual small talk - the typical "get to know" questions.  I didn’t want to overwhelm him immediately with my Latina exuberance so I kept my enthusiasm at bay initially. It was quickly apparent that we could connect on a deeper level as we shared our family values and upbringing. I left our date knowing I wanted to see him again. Two years later, we are preparing for our festive summer wedding: a weekend blend of Mexican flair with Chinese honoring traditions.