What Is the Human-Animal Bond? 5 Ways Pets Help Us Live Better Lives

Pets are often described as our best friends, but for most of us they’re more than that—they’re family.  

Whether a cat, dog, bearded dragon, or any other companion animal, pets provide companionship, add purpose to our daily routines, and can help ease feelings of loneliness. These benefits can have a great positive impact on our mental and physical health.  

This deep connection is called the human-animal bond. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship with our pets, and the stronger the bond, the more it supports their well-being and ours. 

Understanding the Human-Animal Bond

The bond between people and animals isn’t new. Archeological evidence suggests that humans and dogs have co-existed for at least 15,000 years, and likely longer.  

While animals provided protection or assisted humans in hunting, evidence of affection, loyalty, and companionship suggests that love has been an integral part of the bond all along. 

That timeless connection has fueled human curiosity and has led to significant scientific research.  

Research has uncovered that being with pets actually changes brain chemistry in humans. Interactions with pets increase oxytocin (the “love hormone”) in both people and pets, while lowering stress hormones. Researchers also discovered that when dogs and their humans gaze into each other’s eyes, oxytocin levels rise in both, reinforcing the bond. 

Why does the human-animal bond matter? Because this connection can directly improve human health and well-being. 

As just two examples, classroom pets can help children build empathy, and research shows that aquariums can encourage positive behavioral changes in people with dementia. 

For pet parents, research continues to suggest how essential this bond is. From mental health support to improved physical health, the bond between humans and animals can be life-changing. 

Top 5 Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond

Pet owners with the strongest human-animal bonds are more likely to schedule regular vet checkups, maintain proper playtime and exercise, offer balanced nutrition, and give their pets plenty of time and attention. 

But the perks of a strong human-animal bond aren’t just about healthy, happy pets; humans also receive many benefits from that bond. 

Pets Alleviate Stress 

Interacting with pets causes the brain to produce greater levels of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, the “feel-good” chemicals linked to happiness and bonding. At the same time, cortisol levels, the stress hormone, decrease. That means more calm and comfort at home with your pet, but the benefits reach far beyond life at home. 

In hospitals, for example, the stress-relieving effects of therapy animals are measurable. About 15% of children in the emergency room are so anxious they require medication before care can continue, as it is severe enough to interfere with their treatment.  

Findings of the HABRI and Pet Partners study indicated that after spending just 10 minutes with a therapy dog, 46% of children showed a measurable drop in stress and anxiety, and their parents felt calmer too. Significantly fewer children who interacted with a therapy dog still needed anxiety-reducing medication.  

These results demonstrate that with the healing help of dogs, there is a potential to reduce health-care costs, ease the burden on medical staff, and create more positive experiences in hospital settings.  

Pets Help us Cope 

In a world where we’re constantly exposed to stressful or upsetting events on our screens, pets continue to provide comfort and stability. In fact, studies show that pet parents often recover faster from stressful events than non-pet parents, thanks in part to the positive chemical reactions occurring in the brain.  

If someone is recovering from trauma or coping with everyday stress, spending time with pets can make a real difference. Regular interactions with animals have been shown to reduce fear, anxiety, depression, and even sleep disturbances. Pets also provide a healthy distraction from stressful or upsetting thoughts, helping people focus on the moment rather than worries about the future. 

Ultimately, caring for an animal can foster a sense of control and self-efficacy, which can be especially powerful for people managing serious mental health conditions. 

Whether you’re walking, playing, or just together, these moments are linked to greater happiness, a stronger sense of purpose, and lower stress.  

Pets Address Loneliness 

Loneliness is a growing concern in the United States.  

According to a report from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of premature death by up to 29%, comparable to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. For many, pets provide a powerful antidote.  

A survey by HABRI and Mental Health America found that more than half of pet parents said their pets helped them feel less lonely, offered comfort during sad times, and brought joy and laughter into their lives. 

Pets provide daily companionship, helping to fill the gap created by social isolation. They can also connect people to their communities and to other pet parents through activities such as dog parks, online forums, or riding clubs.  

Pets Encourage Activity  

Obesity in people is also an epidemic in the United States, so finding ways to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine is always a good idea. Walking a dog or horseback riding are great examples. 

Even if you have a smaller pet, like a hamster or other animal that doesn’t get you moving, there are still ways to be active with animals.  

Volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, for example, gives you the chance to foster or walk shelter dogs, play with animals, and stay active while helping pets in need. 

Pets Support Longevity 

All those cuddles, walks, and playful moments with your pet do more than make you happy—they can actually help you live a longer, healthier life. Spending time with your pet has been linked to improved heart health, healthier aging, and stronger coping skills. 

For example, the American Heart Association found that dog owners tend to live longer and recover better from major health events like heart attacks or strokes than non-pet owners. Another study showed that owning a dog or cat may help slow age-related cognitive decline.  

Simply put, the bond you share with your pet can make your life longer, healthier, and a whole lot happier. 

Human-Animal Bond Certification for Veterinary Professionals 

Veterinary professionals play an important role in supporting strong, healthy human-animal bonds, which in turn support a pet’s well-being and help pet owners provide the best care at home.  

When veterinary teams consider the human-animal bond in the exam room and beyond, it can strengthen relationships and rapport, helping everyone work together more effectively to keep pets healthy. When every visit is personal, it can encourage pet parents to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of preventive and therapeutic veterinary care. 

Human-Animal Bond Certification from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is a continuing education program that helps veterinary professionals deepen their understanding of the science behind the human-animal bond.  

Through the program, veterinary professionals—including the veterinarians who care for pets, the technicians and nurses who assist during visits, and the administrative team members who welcome families and schedule appointments—gain practical tools to honor the human-animal bond in everyday clinical practice.    

If your current veterinary team doesn’t hold this certification, it’s quite possible they still practice with the human-animal bond in mind. Many veterinary professionals already prioritize this connection and are passionate about nurturing it. The certification simply offers an opportunity to deepen that knowledge and apply it in new ways.  

There are many ways to consider and honor the human-animal bond in the vet clinic. It can look like: 

• Vets treating pets like family. 

• Care recommendations that take an entire household’s well-being into account. 

• Receiving guidance on enrichment, behavior, and quality of life, not just medical treatment. 

• Clear communication and recommendations that consider a pet and pet owner’s specific bond, making it easier to follow through with care and give medications at home. 

• Feeling supported when making difficult care decisions. 

Talking to your veterinary team about the human-animal bond can strengthen your relationship while letting them know you value care that honors and supports this meaningful connection. 

How Strong Is the Bond Between You and Your Pet?

Are you wondering how strong your bond is with your pet? The HABSCORE, a quick 14-question assessment from HABRI, can provide a snapshot of your connection. 

Taking the HABSCORE can show you where your bond is already strong, and highlight simple ways to make it even stronger. 

Maybe it’s sneaking in extra playtime, booking that overdue wellness exam, utilizing more enrichment toys with your cat, or upgrading to an orthopedic bed for your senior pet.  

Whatever it is, knowing more about the human-animal bond can help you turn everyday moments into even deeper connections with your furry, scaled, or feathered family member.