The Human-Animal Companionship Bond
By Jamie Foster, BSc Neuroscience
Pets and humans share a unique bond that can be absent between humans. The human-animal companionship bond establishes a consistent, supportive, loyal, loving environment that eliminates criticism, pressures, and obligations from the outside world. Dogs tend to reciprocate the love they show to those who care for them. A key distinction of this affection is seen through the way dogs react to their family after being ignored/overlooked during a short time span. Dogs experience no loss of attachment and still express their affection equally as much or more towards their family when reconnected (VanFleet, 2008). Whether someone is a child or an adult, people need someone to talk to, to comfort them, and to play with. Animals, particularly dogs, are always ready to provide humans with their needed services. Dogs can benefit people at different stages of life, adapting in various ways (VanFleet, 2008).
Children who grow up with companion animals have a lower chance of developing allergies and asthma. Additionally, dogs grant children another opportunity to learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy as they care for their pet (Rahman, 2015). Moreover, having a pet can promote play-based learning. One-way dogs can stimulate human brain activity is when they cause people to use their creative thinking, problem-solving, and adaptive skills to develop effective training strategies. The human-animal-companionship bond flourishes while animals and humans participate in challenging educational experiences during the training process. With that said, “playing with a companion animal can even be a doorway to learning for a child”(Rahman, 2015). When the goal of a trained skill is accomplished, both parties receive a positive incentive in their brain, filling them with mutual joy.
As people age and go through life, there are often many obstacles along the road. Some roadblocks include losing loved ones and moving away from friends and family. Times alone can feel very isolating and, at times, hopeless. However, dogs can help add additional emotional, social, physical, and mental support daily. Pets can give people a reason to get up in the morning and relieve harmful ideologies due to the implementation of a routine that has a purpose. Dr. Rahman states, “No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—you’ll always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for your companion animal” (Rahman, 2015). Caring for an animal is similar to caring for a child. Both animals and children need to be fed, monitored, given opportunities to participate in physical activity, supplied with fluids, provided a roof over their head, loved, supported, and have access to social interactions. Pets can supplement the place of young children by projecting childlike qualities of dependence, innocence, and curiosity onto family members, causing them to find their playful side of living once again. These experiences with pets can ignite old memories of parenthood and bring out aspects of an adult’s hidden inner child to the surface (VanFleet, 2008). Getting older can make it more challenging to acquire new friendships. It can be hard to find the motivation and comfort to enter the unknown. Having an animal by a person’s side can ease stress and help create new social networks in a more comfortable setting. Animals provide people with an easy conversation starter alongside a reason to exercise and interact out in the community (Rahman, 2015). Providing the necessities for our furry friends (dogs) opens the door to healthy habits and new human interactions.
Animal companions have human needs. Therefore, being a pet owner is not an easy and right decision for everyone. Having a pet can be very rewarding in many aspects but also challenging. Pets can be expensive, difficult to train, tiring, and frustrating. Before choosing a pet, ensure you have the time and flexibility to accommodate its needs alongside your own.
Sources
Netting, F. E., Wilson, C. C., & New, J. C. (1987). The human-animal bond: Implications for practice. Social work, 32(1), 60-64.
Barnett, L. A. (1990). Developmental benefits of play for children. Journal of leisure Research, 22(2), 138-153.
VanFleet, R. (2008). Play therapy with kids & canines: Benefits for children's developmental and psychosocial health. Professional Resource Press/Professional Resource Exchange.
Rahman, M. S. (2015). Health benefits from companion animals. Microbes and Health, 4(1), 1-3.