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Edward O. Wilson coined the term Biophilia Hypothesis which according to Wikipedia "suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems". "Philias are the attractions and positive feelings that people have toward certain habitats, activities, and objects in their natural surroundings". What this means in simple terms and in relation to animals is that we have positive emotions towards them. Being around certain animals can calm agitation, make you feel happier and heal from surgery more quickly.

There have been a multitude of studies done on the benefits of animal therapies. Pretty much every one of these studies concludes that visitations with animals have a positive, beneficial effect on human patients. In pediatric pain studies, a canine visitation after surgery had a significant effect on perceived pain. The dogs activated comforting thoughts of home.

Patients hospitalized with heart failure showed marked improvement as well as decreased anxiety when visited by volunteer dogs. Hospitalized psychiatric patients with psychiatric and mood disorders showed significantly decreased levels of anxiety after animal assisted therapy. When animal assisted therapy was introduced to a group of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments, they felt their health improved.

Those of us fortunate enough not to require hospitalization still benefit from animal therapy. We call it owning a pet. Our pets provide us with unqualified love, devotion and affection. A child can tell anything to their pet without fear of ridicule or judgment. We feel our stress melt away when stroking or hugging our pet. Need a shoulder to cry on? Your pet is always there for you. They won't run away when you get their fur wet with your tears , in fact they seem to sense your pain and want to help. Should you be in another room crying over something they will seek you out to offer comfort. While it is true that most pets crave our attention and love, they also want to give us attention and love in return. They become part of our family and in doing so enrich our lives.

Many senior's residences have started having dogs visit with the inhabitants of the complex. For many, this might be the only visitors they get. These visits help curb loneliness and provide companionship to even the shyest. For many of the residents, it brings back memories of when they lived in their own homes and had pets. Although they cannot have pets in most of the assisted living centres, having weekly or twice weekly visits from a dog becomes a happy routine, an event looked forward to with anticipation.

Pets can provide hope, love, companionship, friendship, affection and laughter so it is not difficult to believe the Biophelia Hypothesis to be true and the living systems in this case are dogs and cats.

Animals can cause fear in people but generally this is due to being in a dangerous situation. A predator will inspire fear because they might see us as a meal. A large animal like an elephant or giraffe might cause fear because of their size. Having a faceoff with a large, aggressive dog or a hissing, snarling, enraged cat would cause fear. Some people fear dogs or cats their whole lives due to a terrifying incident in their past involving the same.

All in all, with a few exceptions noted above, animals uplift our moods, drag us out of the doldrums, ease our depression and sadness and make our lives better.

Learn more about this author, Anne Brodgesell.
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