Research on how companion animals benefit human mental health, the evidence for animal-assisted therapy, and the reciprocal welfare implications.
The human-animal bond has measurable benefits for human mental health, and this creates important welfare implications in both directions. For humans, companion animals provide unconditional positive regard, motivation for routine and exercise, and social facilitation. For the animals, the relationship creates obligations of care that vary enormously by owner. The welfare implications for therapy animals — who work in often stressful environments with multiple unfamiliar humans — require specific attention. Animals used in therapy should have control over interactions, adequate rest, and regular welfare assessment. Forced interaction for human therapeutic benefit, without attention to the animal experience, fails the ethical obligations of the human-animal bond.