New research out of the UK suggests that pets can be important resources for people with mental health problems. Scientists have studied the use of therapeutic animals in some mental health settings before, but they have not given much attention to the special role personal pets might play in helping people manage their conditions. To find out how pet ownership might affect mental health management and recovery, British researchers interviewed 54 participants with serious long-term mental health problems such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. They asked about their day-to-day lives, how they cope with their conditions, and what role if any pets play. Participants also plotted their social networks, putting people, places, animals, things or activities in one of three circles depending on importance. Of the pet owners, the majority put their animals in the most central circle. Some people, usually those who had good relationships with other people, listed their pet in a more secondary role, but most participants reported difficulty with other people, and their animals were a main source of support. Dogs, cats, birds, and hamsters offered their owners a kind of security and stability that their relationships with people often lacked. One person reported that their cat was the only thing that stayed constant. Others cherished the physical contact. The daily rituals of feeding, walking, and grooming their animals provided participants with a welcome routine and encouraged exercise. Pets distracted their owners from symptoms such as hearing voices and suicidal thoughts, and the pets accepted them as they were. Of course, not all aspects of pet ownership are beneficial. For a few people, pet care was a burden, and the death of a beloved animal could be devastating. But pets seem to benefit a majority of participants. Despite this, pets are rarely mentioned by mental health professionals and don't factor into care plants. The results suggest that should change, and that pets are a vital source of support for many people with mental health problems. You