Pets make our lives better – that much we know. But a growing body of global research shows they’re also good for our health, especially when it comes to mental and emotional wellbeing. A new handbook from global animal health company, Zoetis, offers practical ways to make pet companionship more accessible – from pet-friendly workplaces to supportive care homes for the elderly.
Johannesburg, June25: It’s been one of those days when everything that could go wrong, did. You feel drained, defeated, and your self-confidence is close to zero. But as you arrive home, you’re greeted by your faithful pet – visibly overjoyed to welcome you. Soon, the stress you felt has become a distant memory.
This kind of emotional rescue isn’t just in your head, and it isn’t rare either. It’s the power of the human-animal bond – a connection so profound, a new handbook is seeking to shape policy around the world so that companion animals can play a bigger role in our lives.
Small paws, big impact
Almost half of households globally have a pet. What’s more, the bond between humans and animals exists across generations, societal groups, nationalities and socioeconomic status.
In a survey conducted by The Human Animal Bond Research Unit (HABRI) and leading animal health company, Zoetis, 94% of respondents globally said their pet was part of their family and 92% said they would do anything to prevent their pet from undergoing pain and suffering. The sentiment was strikingly similar in all countries.
The benefits of the human-animal bond are numerous. Studies show that pets:
- Provide comfort: Many people report that they confide in their pets, sharing worries and secrets without fear of judgement.
- Help with mental health conditions: The practical side of caring for a pet gives people the security of routine and a sense of control.
- Create an identity: People who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find acceptance as “good pet owners”.
- Physical activity: From walks to playing with their animals, people with pets tend to be more active.
Growing old together
While all people benefit from the human-animal bond, elderly people especially find comfort in caring for a pet. In addition to giving elderly people an incentive to be more physically active, studies show that caring for a pet also gives them a sense of purpose and can help combat loneliness.
Unfortunately, many care homes don’t allow pets. This deprives residents from enjoying these benefits. What’s more, an elderly person would have to surrender their pet in order to move into a care home, adding an additional layer of emotional stress to what is often already a stressful life event.
It’s this kind of barrier to pet companionship that The Human-Animal Bond Handbook aims to break down.
Unleashing the human-animal bond
Published by Zoetis in collaboration with HABRI, the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), The Human-Animal Bond Handbook provides practical guidelines for how we can all work together towards creating a more pet-friendly society.
In the case of elderly people, it offers real-life examples from the UK showing how care homes can be adapted so that elderly people can continue enjoying the companionship of a pet. This includes helping residents care for their animals as they become too frail to handle the tasks themselves.
But care homes for the elderly are just one of the many barriers to pet companionship.
In other instances, people can’t have pets because they can’t take their animals to work during the day – a big issue post-pandemic, with workers who got pets for company during lockdown now having to return to the office. Others simply can’t afford the costs of caring for a pet – such as vet visits and pet insurance, and rental properties frequently come with a no-pets policy.
The handbook looks at ways to address these issues so that more people can enjoy the special bond that comes with having a companion animal.
“We’re in the business of animal health, but after more than seven decades in this space, we know human wellbeing and animal wellbeing go hand in hand,” says Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Lead, Companion Animals, at Zoetis South Africa. “We began with the first-of-its-kind Human-Animal Bond Survey in 2024. This handbook is the next step. The benefits of the human-animal bond are undeniable, and we want everyone to be able to experience the unique companionship that comes with having a pet.”
The Human-Animal Bond Handbook is available for download here.
