Pets are far more than loyal companions. For many people, they are sources of comfort, stability, and joy. Science and psychology increasingly confirm what pet owners have long known: animals can significantly improve mental and physical health. Whether through a dog’s wagging tail, the quiet presence of a cat, or even the sight of fish swimming calmly in an aquarium—pets influence our psyche in profound ways.

In this article, we will explore how animals contribute to psychological wellbeing, how they impact our bodies and emotions, and how they can even be integrated into psychotherapeutic settings.

Pets and the Psyche: Why Animals Do Us Good

The bond between humans and animals is rooted in evolution. For millennia, animals have been our companions, protectors, and helpers. Today, research shows that animals also serve as emotional anchors:

• Stress reduction: Petting a cat or dog lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increases oxytocin (the bonding hormone).
• Emotional support: Animals offer unconditional acceptance and can counter feelings of loneliness or rejection.
• Resilience boost: People who live with pets often report greater emotional resilience during crises.

Pets provide nonjudgmental interaction, which can be especially valuable for people struggling with mental health issues.

Physical Benefits of Pets

Pets affect not only the psyche but also the body. For instance:

• Lower blood pressure: Regular interaction with animals stabilizes cardiovascular functions.
• Stronger immune system: Some studies show that children who grow up with animals develop more robust immune responses.
• Increased physical activity: Especially dogs encourage their owners to go outside and move more.

These physical benefits, in turn, influence psychological wellbeing, creating a positive cycle.

Emotional and Social Effects

Pets and Mental Health: Pets not only touch us physically but also emotionally and socially:

• Sense of purpose: Caring for an animal creates routine and responsibility, which can provide meaning, especially in difficult times.
• Improved social interactions: Dog owners, for example, often experience more spontaneous conversations with others.
• Emotional balance: Many people report that pets help them regulate emotions, from sadness to anger.

Pets in Psychological Therapy

Psychological therapy increasingly acknowledges the healing power of animals. This can take several forms:

• Animal-assisted therapy: Specially trained therapy animals support sessions, for example in working with trauma patients.
• Indirect support: Even the mere presence of a pet in the waiting room can reduce anxiety.
• Therapeutic conversation starters: Clients often find it easier to talk about their pets than directly about themselves.

In counseling, the bond with pets can serve as a bridge to deeper topics like trust, attachment, or grief.

Pets During Online Therapy Sessions

In recent years, online therapy has become more common—and with it, pets have often found their way into sessions. This development holds remarkable potential:

1. Safety and comfort at home
   Many clients feel more at ease when their pet is nearby. Stroking a cat during a video call can reduce anxiety and create a sense of grounding.
2. Immediate regulation of emotions
   Pets act as co-regulators: when a client becomes stressed or triggered, a dog’s calm presence or a cat climbing onto their lap can soothe the nervous system.
3. Authenticity and connection
   Pets appearing in online sessions often create more intimacy and authenticity. Therapists gain insight into the client’s living environment, while clients feel less isolated.
4. Encouragement of self-reflection
   Discussing the relationship with a pet can open doors to themes such as attachment, responsibility, or self-care.
5. Support during difficult moments
   In emotionally intense sessions, pets can provide immediate comfort. This can help clients stay in the therapeutic process longer instead of shutting down.

The presence of animals in online therapy therefore represents an opportunity to deepen the therapeutic process and strengthen clients’ resilience.

Practical Integration of Pets into Therapy

Therapists may integrate pets in various ways:

• Observation: Noting how clients interact with their animals provides insights into attachment patterns.
• Reflection: Conversations about pets can act as metaphors for relationship dynamics.
• Exercises: Clients may be encouraged to consciously use their pet’s presence as a calming ritual before or after sessions.

Of course, not every therapeutic setting is suitable for this, but in many cases the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Limits of Animal Support

Despite all the benefits, pets are not a substitute for professional therapy. They cannot replace therapeutic expertise, medication (if needed), or structured interventions. However, they can be a powerful complement, making therapeutic processes more sustainable and accessible.

Conclusion

Pets enrich our lives in countless ways. They reduce stress, provide emotional balance, and can even become important partners in therapy. Particularly in online therapy, their presence can help clients feel safer, more grounded, and more connected.

The combination of professional therapeutic guidance and the unconditional support of a pet can open new doors to mental health. Ultimately, pets remind us of something essential: healing is not only found in conversations or techniques but also in the simple experience of love, presence, and connection.

Pets and Mental Health: would you like to explore this fascinating topic in more depth? Are you considering getting a pet to improve your mental well-being? Let’s discuss it in a free initial session!

References:

• McConnell, A. R., et al. (2011). “Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1239–1252.
• Beetz, A., et al. (2012). “Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin.” Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234.
• Friedmann, E., & Son, H. (2009). “The human–companion animal bond: How humans benefit.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 39(2), 293–326.
• Brooks, H. L., et al. (2018). “The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence.” BMC Psychiatry, 18(31).