The positive physical and psychological benefits of pet companionship are hard to dispute. The human-animal bond is a relationship between a human and an animal that involves love, attention, and trust. The reciprocal bond is beneficial to both. For most pet owners, animals become members of the family. In this context, contact with pets develops nurturing behaviors in children and adults alike.
Animals can often reach people when human relationships are difficult.
Animals can ease loneliness, promote nurturing and socialization, and improve the owner's quality of life. Companion animals can help humans improve cognition, trust, memory, sequencing, self-esteem, problem solving, attention, and concentration. According to a new study, pets reduced blood pressure in their caregivers by relieving stress. Researchers followed 48 male stockbrokers who had high blood pressure, but were otherwise healthy, and who lived alone. Half were given a cat or dog to take home, to measure its effect on blood pressure.