The Human- Animal Connection

The Human-Animal bond has existed for a long time. It was once more of a working relationship, and has evolved itself into a true companionship.

It operates in an entirely different way than a relationship between two humans. There is no “you do this for me and I’ll do something for you.” It is a bond that is truly founded on unconditional love and devotion. Unconditional love is what ties humans and animals together.

“As a veterinarian, I see a profoundly strong human-animal bond that exists between people and their pets on a daily basis. I think the origin of this is complex and comes from multiple factors including human evolution, emotional attachment and support, companionship and a sense of purpose to name a few. The impact of this bond benefits both the person and the pet and includes improved health and enhanced well-being.”
Dr. Karen J. Metzler, Veterinarian and owner of Summerfields Animal Hospital

A woman petting her German shepherd mix. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A Shih Tzu sleeping next to his owner. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A cat in a vet's pocket. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A vet tech holding a sleeping dog. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A Shih Tzu staring up at his owner. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A man and his dog greeting him. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A French bulldog snuggled with her owner. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A woman holding her Labrador retriever. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A Mutually Beneficial Bond

“Pets and people saving each other.”
Jannie Miller, foster and volunteer manager at the Humane Society of North Texas

Something that is often overlooked is the level of comfort, support and love people get from simply being around animals as well as the support system people can be for animals.

“The impact that my pets have had on my life is indescribable. I got my first dog Everest when I moved into my new place. She has made me feel a lot safer living on my own and she keeps me from laying on the couch all day when I have nothing to do. They make coming home everyday so worth it because no matter what, they are always happy to see me.”
Vet Tech Kailee Kawulok

Veterinarian Amanda Riveria discussed how animals completely rely on humans in every way, especially rescue animals.

Providing them with love and care can ultimately give them an entirely new outlook on life. An animal's demeanor can change when their basic needs of food and shelter are met -- just as you would see for a human.

This bond can enrich one's life and well-being. For many pet owners, there is nothing like the joy that comes from your pet running to the door to greet you when you get home – or the comfort that comes from them licking the tears off your face when the day has been a difficult one.

This video shows the human-animal bond and connection. (Video by: Sydney Brunson)

Animal's impact on people's mental health

In a time when mental health struggles are at the forefront, people are searching for outlets in the form of medicine, therapy, or exercise – but maybe the answer is simply four paws and a heartbeat.

Interacting with animals has been proven through research to greatly impact one's mental health.

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute conducted an international survey that indicated that humans' strong bond with animals has a tangible influence on the health outcomes in all the countries surveyed. About 94% of the participants consider their pet to be a member of their family, 87% said they experienced the profound mental and physical benefits that come with forming a bond with an animal and 98% said a pet had a positive impact on their well-being.

“I think that owning animals can have a huge impact on a person’s mental health because animals by heart know nothing but love so I think that they impact our lives by being a light that sometimes gets dimmed by the struggles of your day to day life.”
Vet Tech Kailee Kawulok

A Pitbull mix enjoying being outside. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A black Labrador retriever with white spots. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A Chihuahua mix sleeping in her owners bed. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

A Shih Tzu laying in bed with his owner. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

Here are some of the ways animals can improve the mental health of humans:

woman in brown tank top and brown shorts holding leash of white short coated dog during

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Reduced loneliness and isolation

Having a companion can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Whether one is living alone, socially distant or stuck in a dysfunctional relationship, having an animal around has the power to make a person feel less alone.

Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash

Lowered anxiety

Anxiety has become a common mental health struggle in today's society -however, animals can help to ease that anxiety. Researchers conducted a stress test on 73 dog owners and found that participants who spent time with their dog after doing a stressful task experienced increased mood and reduced anxiety compared with the two control groups.

man standing near Golden Labrador retriever viewing bridge and high-rise buildings

Photo by Pontus Wellgraf on Unsplash

Provides a sense of purpose

Many people often struggle to feel a purpose or sense of belonging, especially if depressed. However, owning animals can give meaning to one's life.

“Getting out to exercise, caring for something other than themselves, allowing the feeling of being needed or wanted by another living thing, and overall, unconditional love.”
Veterinarian Amanda Riveria

During college, there may be more difficult days than easy ones as it is a time of change and adjustment.

Patrick Long, a licensed specialist in school psychology, said college students have their own unique risks associated with poor mental health including increased academic demands, a struggle to fit in, an increase in binge drinking and drug use, and sudden independence and important life decisions.

"College students don't often have solid support systems to rely on. They've moved out of their parents house, away from friend groups they've had most of their life and trying to forge new support systems takes time. College students often engage in risky behavior in this stage of life that can further compound budding mental health concerns."
Patrick Long, specialist in school pyschology

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

person with dog sitting on Grand Canyon cliff

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

Living without a pet

Often, college students are not only living away from their families, but from their pets as well, which can cause a void. Having a companion and solid bond to rely on to then suddenly being without it can be incredibly lonely and disheartening.

Survey

I conducted a survey that was taken mainly by young adults, specifically college students. The purpose of this survey was to get different perspectives about how growing up with pets impacted childhood, whether owning pets can contribute to better mental health and whether it’s possible to feel closer to pets than family.

Survey Results

Family bond vs. pet bond

The bond between humans and their pets can be significantly stronger than one with their family. Animals instinctively hold love and forgiveness in their heart. Their love is unconditional and the simplicity of nonverbal communication can be comforting. Humans have complex emotions that can cause a wave of ups and downs, whereas with animals, it is a steady love.

Attachment theory plays a role in the strength of the human-animal bond because this relationship is entirely based around attachment by seeking comfort, security and emotional support from one another -- as well as the separation anxiety from being apart.

Landry Davis, a TCU student, reflected on how her dog feels like her child and it is an intimate bond that she believes can be difficult to get with humans. She said she doesn't have the closest relationship with her family, but that their pets bring them closer together because they all would do anything for their animals.

"I think animals provide an undying love that can't be broken by anything and everyone can benefit from that."
Landry Davis, a TCU student

woman holding man and toddler hands during daytime

Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

A woman sleeping with her Doberman. (Photo by: Sydney Brunson)

Photo by William Daigneault on Unsplash

The benefit of emotional support animals

Owning an emotional support animal has been proven to improve one's mental health such as alleviating loneliness, easing anxiety, reducing depression and helping with phobias. Even if it is simply the animal providing a person with a daily routine, it can greatly benefit one's mental state.

What separates an ESA from a regular pet? The most distinct difference is that ESA's have to be approved by a mental health professional. College students living on campus have to get the animal approved by the university.

Avery Ellis, a Belmont University student with an ESA, discussed why she got one and how it has impacted her life, well-being and mental health.

"I wanted to get an ESA because I was so depressed that I was not that fond of taking care of myself, but if I had an animal that was relying on me to live its life and survive, then that would at least get me out of bed."
Avery Ellis, owner of an ESA

Having an emotional support animal can be impactful in many ways. However, Veterinarian Karen J. Metzler said she believes uncertified animals can have just as significant of an impact on humans.

The profound grief from losing a pet

If anything exemplifies the strength and significance of the human-animal connection, it would be the grief one feels from losing a pet. When people say “it’s just a dog…” it’s so much more. The profound grief that can come from losing a companion who may have been your best friend or most loyal supporter can measure up to the grief felt by losing a person close to you. If a person is lucky, they may have their pet around for 15 or more years. The pet can often be in a person’s life longer than they were not in it, which can make the loss of them nearly as excruciating and devastating as losing a person.

"[My dog] Boz reminded me of my dad and my childhood so putting him down was like losing even more pieces of the past. Boz was my protector. He slept in bed with me every night. He walked next to me when going for walks. He jumped on the trampoline with me. He moved with us. He let me lay on him when I was sick. He grieved with me when I lost my dad. He was always there – so to lose him meant letting go of a lot."
Vet Tech Kailee Kawulok

This TikTok video is from Josie Balka and it's a piece of poetry about the grief from losing a dog.