A mutually beneficial bond

There is evidence that pet presence at home contributes to general well-being of people and even to the development of social skills in children; in addition, there are proven animal-assisted therapies complementing the benefits of traditional therapies. Animals can be companions, friends, family members, and helpers, for example. In addition, let’s not forget their significant role as providers: the economic bond and interdependence between humans and livestock animals. Factors that shape the human-animal bond are universal, and include economic values, psychological factors and social or cultural values. We seem to be all connected in the circle of life, including the environment.

Some time ago, the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit commissioned a study with the renowned institute Ipsos which gathered meaningful data on the benefits of a human-animal (pet) relationship. The outcomes included four key emotional states quoted by pet owners: affection, well-being, dynamics, and reciprocity.

Affection was mentioned most often quoting the unconditional love pets give to humans, trust with no judgement, the impact of presence of animals, connection, and responsibility for the pet as the main pillars of this state. The other states showed that pets keep us calm and make us feel safe; with pets we have fun, are challenged, get exercise, have a feeling of recognition, pride and togetherness. There is so much the research revealed about this special bond and in particular its positive impact on people’s health.

This week we celebrate the Human-Animal Relationship Awareness week, established by the Animals & Society Institute, to honor relationships between humans and animals. We in Boehringer Ingelheim are committed to prevention of disease and suffering in animals, and to their well-being. We are passionate about our work and the improvements we make to the animals’ lives, and subsequently lives of many humans, as well as the innovative advances we bring into the industry. So this week, we are proactively helping raise awareness of the importance of human-animal relationships.

There are many great stories we could share on how, in addition to our daily work, our passion translates into actions. Some of them you can find below.

And while recognizing this important week, let’s remind ourselves of the beautiful words by Walt Whitman* summarizing his appreciation of animals:

"I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained;

I stand and look at them long and long.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition;

They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins;

They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God;

Not one is dissatisfied-not one is demented with the mania of owning things;

Not one kneels to another, nor his kind that lived thousands of years ago;

Not one is responsible or industrious over the whole earth."