Diverse group of people joyfully interacting with animals in a sunny park, symbolizing health and happiness through human-animal interaction.

Unlock the Power of Pets: How Animals Boost Your Health and Happiness

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the science-backed benefits of human-animal interaction, from cardiovascular health to mental well-being, and discover how pets enrich our lives."

For many pet owners, the bond they share with their animal companions is undeniable. While anecdotal evidence abounds, researchers have been working diligently to quantify the mutual benefits of human-animal interaction (HAI). This exploration, known as anthrozoology, seeks to understand and measure the multifaceted ways animals enhance human lives.

The journey to scientifically validate these benefits hasn't been without its challenges. Early efforts, such as the 1987 National Institutes of Health (NIH) workshop on "The Health Benefits of Pets," highlighted the need for more rigorous research. However, progress remained slow until recent years, marked by increased funding and a renewed focus on methodological precision.

Today, the field of HAI research is burgeoning, fueled by public-private partnerships like the one between the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. This collaboration has sparked unprecedented progress, addressing long-standing questions and opening new avenues for exploration into the impact of animals on our well-being.

Cardiovascular Health: A Pawsitive Impact?

Diverse group of people joyfully interacting with animals in a sunny park, symbolizing health and happiness through human-animal interaction.

The presence of pets in our lives goes beyond simple companionship; it actively contributes to our cardiovascular health. Research indicates that pet ownership, especially dog ownership, is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2013, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement acknowledging this connection, suggesting a potential causal role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

One prevailing theory suggests that pets act as social support providers, buffering against the detrimental effects of stress. Studies have shown that individuals sharing their homes with pets exhibit healthier physiological responses to stress, including reduced baseline heart rate and blood pressure. The simple act of petting an animal can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, while boosting oxytocin, the hormone linked to relaxation and bonding.

Reduced Baseline Heart Rate: Pet owners tend to have lower resting heart rates.
Lower Blood Pressure: Studies show reduced blood pressure in pet owners, even under stress.
Stress Buffer: Pets help mitigate the negative physiological impacts of stressful situations.
Hormonal Balance: Interaction with pets can decrease cortisol and increase oxytocin levels.

The social support derived from animals is crucial across all life stages. Children often view their pets as sources of unconditional love and comfort, especially during emotional distress. This bond is also linked to enhanced self-esteem, highlighting the profound impact pets have on mental and emotional well-being.

Looking Ahead: Future Directions in HAI Research

The field of human-animal interaction has made incredible progress, yet fundamental questions remain. To continue advancing our understanding, future research should prioritize standardized protocols and measures, explore the nuanced effects of different animal species, and focus on long-term outcomes. By solidifying the evidence base, we can fully harness the power of pets to promote health, happiness, and stronger communities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2527/af.2014-0022, Alternate LINK

Title: Evolution Of Research Into The Mutual Benefits Of Human–Animal Interaction

Subject: Animal Science and Zoology

Journal: Animal Frontiers

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Sandra Mccune, Katherine A. Kruger, James A. Griffin, Layla Esposito, Lisa S. Freund, Karyl J. Hurley, Regina Bures

Published: 2014-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does pet ownership specifically impact cardiovascular health?

Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association suggests a potential causal role for pets in reducing cardiovascular risk. Pets act as social support providers, buffering against the detrimental effects of stress. Pet owners often exhibit reduced baseline heart rates and lower blood pressure, even under stress. Petting an animal can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increase oxytocin levels (the bonding hormone).

What is anthrozoology, and what are its primary goals?

Anthrozoology is the scientific exploration of human-animal interaction (HAI). Its primary goal is to understand and measure the multifaceted ways animals enhance human lives. This includes quantifying the benefits of the bond between humans and animals, such as the impact on cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and social connections. The field aims to move beyond anecdotal evidence by using rigorous research methods to validate these benefits.

What role does the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) play in advancing human-animal interaction (HAI) research?

The NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) partners with organizations like the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition to advance human-animal interaction (HAI) research. This collaboration fuels progress by addressing long-standing questions and opening new avenues for exploring the impact of animals on well-being. The partnership helps establish standardized protocols and measures, which are vital for solidifying the evidence base in HAI research.

In what ways do pets serve as social support for children, and what effects does this have on their well-being?

Pets provide children with unconditional love and comfort, especially during emotional distress. Children often view their pets as sources of support, contributing to enhanced self-esteem. This social support from animals is linked to improved mental and emotional well-being, highlighting the profound impact pets have on children's development and resilience.

What are some key areas of focus for future research in the field of human-animal interaction (HAI), and why are they important?

Future research in human-animal interaction (HAI) should prioritize standardized protocols and measures to ensure research rigor and comparability. Exploring the nuanced effects of different animal species is crucial for understanding the specific benefits associated with each type of animal. Focusing on long-term outcomes will help determine the sustained impact of HAI on health, happiness, and community well-being. By solidifying the evidence base, we can fully harness the power of pets to promote healthier and happier lives.