The Psychological and Physiological Value of Pets

Paper Summary:

This paper shows how the human-animal bond and its history provide the foundation when defining why pets are pivotal to western culture. It also discusses why it is important to identify the affects they have on our emotional and physical well-being. The writer claims that understanding the positive and negative impact of pet ownership can be a useful tool when helping those with mental and physical problems.

From the Paper:

"I. Introduction
"The interaction between humans and animals has always played a significant role as an element in human culture. More importantly, the domestication of animals for human use has facilitated the emergence of a more intimate relationship between man and non-human beings: the pet connection. The benefits of this connection are numerous as they encompass everything from simple companionship to deep enhancements in mental and physical health. Just as the interrelationships between man are always changing, the bond between animal and man is just as dynamic. Pet ownership in the U.S. involves a special tie where the pet is increasingly considered to be a member of the family. The relative wealth of the U.S. as compared to most other nations allows us to view animals more as individuals rather than strictly as a commodity as originally intended when man first domesticated any animal."

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