Why Life’s Better with Animals by Your Side

Carol Lincoln - June 2025

I recently attended an event at the Palace of Westminster, representing the National School Dog Association. We were there to promote the power of the human-animal bond to members of Parliament. I was amazed at how many MPs, from all parties, packed into the room. Young and old, they all hoped to meet a dog or two and share stories about their family pets and beloved dogs long since passed.

One MP I spoke to said, “Why wouldn’t any of us want to back anything to do with the well-being of companion animals? It’s probably the only subject I can think of where all individuals and parties would agree without agenda!”

That, my friend, is the power of the Human-Animal Bond at the highest level!

The Importance of Companion Animals

Where it truly matters, however, is at home. It is with individuals or families where companion animals and their bond with humans cross countries, cultures, and even the conflicts that seem to increasingly divide us.

According to a recent HABRI report:

• 95% of pet owners worldwide consider their pet a part of their family.

• 92% say there’s no reason they would ever be convinced to give up their pet.

• 76% say they would make major life changes for their pet if necessary.

  
  

With around 470 million pet dogs and 370 million pet cats worldwide, that’s a lot of people—all in agreement!

What Can Caring for an Animal Do for Us?

Looking after a pet does far more than provide companionship. It can actually transform our well-being. Studies show that pet ownership is linked to lower heart rates, reduced cholesterol, and decreased blood pressure, particularly during stressful moments. Beyond the physical benefits, pets positively impact our emotional health. They lift our spirits, helping us feel less lonely or isolated. They bring joy and comfort into our lives.

For those facing mental health challenges, animals offer daily support. They provide companionship both at home and in public places. Pets also help spark conversations, making it easier to connect with others and foster a sense of belonging in a community. Walking a dog not only improves physical fitness but also encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection with nature. In so many ways, our pets are quiet heroes—bringing people of all ages together.

The Role of Therapy Animals

Therapy animals take this connection to another level. Specially trained to offer emotional support, therapy animals visit hospitals, schools, care homes, and other community places. They help children and older people feel calmer, safer, and more connected. They provide non-judgmental companionship to children struggling with learning and reduce anxiety in healthcare settings. Their presence can ease social barriers, boost confidence, and motivate children and older people to engage in therapeutic activities.

Whether it’s a dog curling up next to someone in a hospital bed or sitting patiently with a nervous reader in a classroom, therapy animals bring a unique kind of healing. This healing speaks without words yet is deeply felt. At TDT UK, we call this ‘The Magic’.

Assistance and Service Dogs: Life-Changing Support

Assistance and service dogs go even further, providing life-changing support to their guardians. These highly trained animals perform specific tasks to help people with disabilities live more independently and confidently. They might help individuals with visual impairments, alert someone who is deaf to important sounds, or retrieve dropped items and open doors for those with mobility challenges.

Some are trained to detect and respond to medical conditions like epileptic seizures, low blood sugar, or PTSD episodes. They provide safety, stability, and peace of mind. Beyond these highly trained dogs, people are increasingly owner training their own pets as assistance dogs. This provides constant companionship and emotional support, helping their owners navigate daily life with greater ease and dignity. For many, they are more than helpers—they are lifelines.

The Emotional Impact of Animals

In the end, animals have an incredible ability to lift our spirits, improve our health, and bring people together. Whether they’re our loyal pets, comforting therapy animals, or hardworking assistance dogs, their presence adds something truly special to our lives. They support us in all sorts of ways, big and small—offering companionship, connection, and even life-changing help when we need it most.

It was a reminder made real for me that day at the House of Parliament. Sometimes, the most powerful bonds don’t need words or complicated agendas at all—just trust, love, fun, and a wagging tail.

Giving Back to Our Companion Animals

Before I sign off, one of the reasons we were there was to spread the message: let’s give back to our companion animals in the best way we can for the few short years we have with them. This means truly understanding our pet’s needs, learning how to communicate with them, and ensuring they live happy, healthy, and enriched lives.

When we care for our animals with compassion and respect, we don’t just change their world—they change ours too.

Carol Lincoln is a director and online course creator for Therapy Dog Training UK and TDT UK (the latter offers online Foundation Training for owner training your own assistance dog). Online certification workshops and courses are backed by a UK-wide network of highly trained and experienced TDT UK Trusted Trainers offering live training support and assessments.

Information about Training and Certifying a Therapy Dog *www.therapydogtraining.co.uk

Foundation Training for Owner Training an Assistance Dog *www.tdtuk.co.uk

TDT UK is proud to be a founder member of The National School Dog Association *www.nsda.co.uk

HABRI – Human Animal Bond Research *www.habri.org