94. Connect with animals: The power of pets to build connection
The relationships we form with animals offer a unique kind of connection—and can make connecting with humans easier.
Friendship Fact
In a meta-analysis of 24 studies, having a pet was found to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
For those of you with a vested interest in the cats vs. dogs debate, sorry:
“The studies did not reveal any differences between dogs, cats, and other kinds of pets regarding their relationship to loneliness and social isolation.”
“the studies did not reveal any differences between dogs, cats, and other kinds of pets regarding their relationship to loneliness and social isolation.”
Having a pet has also been shown to:
Encourage higher levels of physical activity
Decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety
Promote interaction with neighbors
Reduce doctor visits during times of stress
Increase rates of survival after a cardiovascular event
Our dog, Iggy, exhausted after working hard to de-stuff his pterodactyl.
Connection Reflection
Since I work from home, our dog Iggy is my primary companion during the day, and our daily dog walk is essential to my health and well-being. The change of scenery, movement, and casual interactions—with neighbors and strangers alike—help me feel more connected to the world outside of our four walls.
To be honest, Iggy can be as much a source of stress as he is of well-being. Like when he’s barking as if possessed while I’m holding a virtual training. That soundtrack lives on in this podcast interview I did on social connection and mental health 😳.
As any animal lover can tell you, the connection we feel with the animals in our lives is STRONG. It can’t replace human connection, but it does provide valuable companionship and much-needed physical affection in our touch-deprived world.
Animals can also help spark social connection with humans. Last night we had a few people over to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and Iggy was the star of the party. We admired his cuteness, laughed at his antics, and commiserated over challenging dog behaviors. Whenever there was a lull in conversation, we looked to Iggy … and he delivered.
When I worked on a college campus, we held dog events, like “De-stress with Dogs” and “Canine Office Hours,” and something magical happened. People flocked to the events, and the usual social awkwardness was absent. The dogs provided an external focal point—and an adorable and absorbing one at that! This is the superpower of babies, puppies, and kittens: they make connection easier. They allow people to come together and connect without the intensity of eye contact or the pressure of having to figure out what to say.
Connection Practice: Connect with animals
In your personal life, if you have animals, how can they help you connect with other humans? For example:
Swap photos of your adorable cat with other cat lovers.
Go on dog walks in places where you’re likely to interact with other people.
Get your pet certified as a therapy pet and volunteer at a local organization to share the love.
In your workplace or on campus:
Consider organizing a pet event or a bring-your-dog-to-work day. Plan ahead to be considerate of people with dog allergies or fears, and minimize the potential for noise and disruption.
Weekly Questions: Please share your responses in the comments—I love hearing from you!
Do you have animals in your life? What role do they play in helping you feel connected?
Animals also teach us important social skills, like gentleness and play.