Women who want better sleep at night should keep their dog in bed with them, according to a new study.

The study, which was published this month in the journal of the International Society for Anthropology, says that women who sleep in bed with their dog experience less disrupted sleep and greater feelings of security and comfort as compared to those who sleep with a human partner or a cat.

"They give extra warmth in the winter--you need less covers in the summer," says Christine Conte, community relations coordinator with Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter and a dog owner. "And a sense of comfort and security too because if there's any noises they let out a bark so I feel safer with them in bed with me."

The findings from the study were from self-reported data and not official scientific review.