Befriending Man's Best Friends: Does Altruism Toward Animals Promote Psychological and Physical Health?

In recent decades, researchers in the health and social science fields have begun investigating the psychological and physical health benefits of the human-animal bond, which can be described as a 'dynamic relationship between people and animals in that each influences the psychological and physiological state of the other'. The strength of the human-animal bond and its positive effects on health and wellness have been demonstrated in a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, the elderly, and the physically and mentally ill. This chapter discusses animal-directed altruism and the origins of the human-animal bond. It provides a brief review of the literature on the effects of pet ownership and attachment, and how befriending animals can promote health and wellness for individuals across the developmental lifespan.