Opinion: Animals as healers
Relationships built with animals bring rich emotional, psychological, and even physical, rewards
By Viiveck Verma
The existence of a profound, unspoken relationship between humans and animals, is nothing novel and has existed for centuries. Whether it be a gentle nudge of a dog, the calming presence of a horse, or a purring cat curling up on one’s lap, animals have long offered us a form of emotional support that goes beyond surface-level affection. Today, science has caught up with what we have always felt instinctively, that animals are not just companions but partners in healing, with the potential to alleviate human suffering in ways modern medicine cannot.
Relationships built with animals bring rich emotional, psychological, and even physical, rewards. And while the benefits of these relationships have been long celebrated anecdotally, empirical research now exists to support the stance that animals play a critical role in human health. This relationship represents a symbiotic bond, which, in its purest form, grounds us, reflects on our place within the natural world.
Unconditional Companionship
At the core of understanding this relationship lies a simple but powerful truth, that animals provide unconditional companionship. Unlike human interactions, fraught with judgment, prejudice, complexity, expectation and unpredictability, animals offer stable, reliable support despite it being majorly non-verbal. Studies confirm that positive animal interaction leads to reduced stress, improved mental health and enhanced overall well-being. Take, for example, the impact of pet ownership. Spending time with pets can lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, while simultaneously boosting the production of oxytocin, a hormone linked to affection. The simple act of petting a dog significantly boosts the level of serotonin and can instantly mend a bad day.
But beyond the obvious stress-related benefits, animal companionship has proven benefits for mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. The presence of an animal, particularly in emotionally vulnerable times, provides a grounding force, an entity offering consistent, unquestioning companionship, and support. Pet therapy has even been introduced as a complementary treatment for individuals suffering from PTSD, helping them reconnect with the world after experiencing severe trauma. Veterans often find solace in therapy animals to navigate the challenges of readjustment after combat.
Therapeutic Animals
The narrative of therapeutic animals is conventionally associated with dogs and cats but many other species can provide similar benefits to human well-being. Horses, for instance, are at the centre of equine therapy, a form of treatment for individuals struggling with emotional or behavioural disorders. The size and presence of a horse can be both intimidating and comforting, teaching individuals patience, empathy, and responsibility. This form of therapy is particularly beneficial for people dealing with conditions such as autism, ADHD and trauma-related disorders. Plus, the nonverbal communication required to connect with a horse helps develop empathy and emotional regulation.
Even smaller animals, like birds and rabbits, have found their way into therapeutic settings. Aquatic creatures like dolphins have also been introduced in therapeutic contexts, particularly for children with disabilities. Dolphin-assisted therapy is rooted in the idea that interacting with intelligent, responsive creatures can stimulate cognitive and emotional development in children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
There is something beautifully primal about the human-animal bond. Long before we studied the impact of animals on our health, they were associated with loyalty, empathy, and unconditional love, qualities that are increasingly rare in human interactions in our fast-paced, highly digital world. In our nuclear living setting, for people living in isolation, particularly the elderly, the presence of an animal can be life-changing. In nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, animal therapy counters loneliness. The emotional nourishment animals provide in these settings is irreplaceable.
Unlike human interactions, fraught with judgment, prejudice, expectation and unpredictability, animals offer stable, reliable support despite it being majorly non-verbal
On the other end of the spectrum, for children, animals offer a unique form of companionship that nurtures and teaches emotional intelligence and responsibility. For children with pets, the simple act of caring for an animal, feeding, grooming, walking, without verbal communicative means of interaction, instils a sense of responsibility and routine, offering lessons in compassion and empathy that shape the individual well into adulthood.
Ethical Concerns
It’s important to recognise the ethical and practical considerations involved in animal therapy. The involvement of a living breathing creature alongside a troubled human carries a lot of ethical concerns. Not everyone can or should own a pet. For people with allergies, financial limitations, or time constraints, owning an animal may introduce stress rather than alleviate it. Moreover, the animal’s welfare should always be the top priority. It is easy to romanticise the idea of owning a pet for therapeutic purposes, but animals come with their own needs and emotional complexity. Thus, the ethics surrounding certain forms of animal-assisted therapy also warrant scrutiny.
Dolphin-assisted therapy, for instance, has raised significant ethical questions about the welfare of captive dolphins, and some critics argue that the therapeutic benefits may not justify the costs to the animals involved. Similarly, using animals in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings must be allowed only with proper systems for the well-being of the animals taken care of, with as much importance as the patients they serve. Most importantly, one must keep in mind that while animal companionship can help with emotional and mental health challenges, it is not a panacea. Professional care should always be the first point of intervention, with animal-assisted therapy serving as a complementary, rather than primary, form of treatment.
As our understanding of the human-animal bond deepens, there is potential for more intentional, structured integration of animals into human lifestyles. The rise of animal-assisted therapy in schools, hospitals and mental health facilities signals a growing recognition of the profound impact animals have on human health and also maybe signs of a future of more respectful and fruitful co-existence of humans and animals. The world is more emotionally disconnected than ever before and hence the role of animals as companions, healers and therapists is more relevant than ever. The therapeutic benefits of animal companionship are not just a modern trend; they are a timeless truth.
At the pinnacle of my own professional life, I find myself continually drawn back to this elemental truth. The future may bring incredible technological advancements in therapy, but the bond between human and animal will always remain one of the most accessible, enduring, and profoundly therapeutic relationships we have.
(The author is founder & CEO, Upsurge Global, co-founder, Global Carbon Warriors, and Adjunct Professor, EThames College)
