28 / 10 / 2026
Why do we love animals so much? Most people can name an animal that's made a difference to their day. It might be a dog that waits by the door, or a cat that settles on your lap the moment you sit down. That pull towards animals is more than sentiment. Animal and human bonding has been studied for decades, and the research suggests it can shape how we feel, how we cope and how we connect with other people.
With Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week running each year in November, it's a good time to look at what the bond actually is, where it comes from and what it does for us. We'll also look at how people are turning their love of animals into meaningful work.
What is the bond between humans and animals?
The bond between humans and animals is a two-way relationship that benefits both sides. People get comfort, company and a sense of purpose. Animals that are well cared for get safety, routine and attention from someone who knows them.The Society for Companion Animal Studies, a UK charity that's promoted the study of human and companion animal interactions since 1979, says there's increasing evidence of the supportive role pets play for people, including benefits for physical health and for ageing.
It isn't just about cats and dogs, either. People form close human and animal bonds with horses, rabbits, birds and fish. A large UK study by the Universities of York and Lincoln found that the strength of the bond owners reported didn't differ significantly between species.
The bond has also changed a lot over time, from animals that worked alongside us on farms to the companions many of us share our homes with today. If you'd like the bigger picture, our guide to the human and animal relationship covers the different forms it takes, with examples.
Why do we form human and animal bonds?
There's no single reason behind animal and human bonding, and it's likely a mix of the emotional and the biological.On the emotional side, animals respond to us without judgement. They don't care what we do for a living or what we look like, and that can make it easier to relax around them. Caring for an animal also builds routine. Feeding, walking and grooming all happen at set times, and those small daily jobs give structure to a day.
There's a biological side too. Oxytocin is a hormone linked to social bonding, and research listed by the University of Portsmouth found that dogs given oxytocin showed more affiliative behaviour towards their owners. In other words, the connection between humans and animals isn't only in our heads. It's likely rooted in the same systems that help us bond with each other.
What the animal and human bond does for us
Animals are a big part of UK life. The PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report 2026 estimates that 27% of UK adults have a dog and 24% have a cat, which works out at around 10.2 million pet dogs and 11.3 million pet cats.For many of those owners, the animal and human bond plays a real part in their wellbeing. In the York and Lincoln study, which surveyed around 6,000 people in the UK during the 2020 lockdown, more than 90% of respondents said their pet helped them cope emotionally, and 96% said their pet helped keep them fit and active.
It's worth being honest about the limits of that research, though. The study's lead author, Dr Elena Ratschen, said the effect was unlikely to be of clinical significance and didn't mean people should get a pet to protect their mental health. Mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness makes a similar point. It says animals can help reduce stress and boost mood, but it also lists the downsides, such as allergies, costs and the upset of an animal becoming ill.
So the bond can help, but it works best when it's built on responsible care. We explore this further in our guide to pets and mental health.
Putting the bond to work
The connection between humans and animals isn't only felt at home. It's also used on purpose, in places like care homes, hospitals, schools and prisons, where trained animals and their handlers visit to support people's wellbeing, learning or recovery.You'll often hear this described as pet therapy. The wider professional field is known as animal assisted intervention, which covers everything from informal visits to structured sessions with learning or therapy goals. Formal therapy sessions are led by qualified health or care professionals, with the animal and its handler supporting their work.
Good practice matters here, for people and for animals. Rethink Mental Illness notes there's no standard regulation system for therapists such as counsellors or psychotherapists, so it's worth checking qualifications and experience. The animal's welfare matters just as much. A good handler knows when an animal is enjoying a session and when it needs a break.
If you'd like to know what this kind of work looks like day to day, our guide to animal assisted therapy jobs explains the roles, the settings and how people get started.
Turn your bond with animals into a career
If animal and human bonding is something you'd love to build a career around, the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention is a good place to start. It's an Ofqual regulated qualification, and it's important to be clear about what it is. It's a qualification in animal assisted intervention, so it won't make you a therapist. What it will give you is the knowledge to understand how animals can support people's health and wellbeing, and how to plan and carry out sessions responsibly.The course is studied online and at your own pace, with tutor support along the way.
Units cover:
- the theory and history of animal assisted interventions
- your legal duties
- the health and wellbeing benefits
- roles and responsibilities
- pairing clients with the right animal
- conducting canine sessions
There's also a practical element. You'll arrange two days of hands-on work with a dog yourself, and both days need to be evidenced to complete the qualification. Once you've finished, you could go on to work or volunteer in this field, or carry on studying animal or canine care.
As a learner with Animal Courses Direct, you'll also get access to the learndirect: Community Hub app. It's a space just for learners and alumni of the learndirect Digital Group, where you can join topic-specific communities, ask questions in the forums and connect with people on the same journey as you. You'll never feel alone while you study.
Ready to get started?
Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week is a reminder of how much animals give us. If you're ready to give something back by turning that bond into your work, visit the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention course page for full details, including fees and payment options.Got a question first? Call our course advisors on 01202 006 040 or send us an enquiry and we'll be happy to help.
