Growing evidence links animal welfare, human mental health, and ecological health in ways that strengthen the case for integrated approaches to wellbeing across species.
The connections between animal welfare and human mental health are increasingly recognised as bidirectional and significant. Animals benefit from human care and advocacy, but humans also benefit from positive relationships with animals in ways that extend far beyond companionship. Recognising these connections strengthens the case for animal welfare investment as a component of broader public health strategy - not just an ethical luxury. Conversely, environments that normalise animal suffering may desensitise humans to suffering more broadly, with potential implications for social empathy. The One Health framework provides an institutional home for these integrated perspectives, and advocating for animal welfare within One Health discussions is an effective strategy for building cross-sectoral support.