The “Pet Effect”: Animal companions and mental health 

May 25, 2026

Canadians love animals. In 2024, a majority of homes in Canada had a pet, including 8.9 million cats, 8.3 million dogs, 2.5 million birds, 8.6 million fish, 1.2 million small mammals, and even a couple of hundred thousand reptiles. Many of us cherish our animals as members of the family and the bonds we share with them may be as important as our human relationships. 

Our animal friends may play different roles in our lives. They may be “companion animals,” providing everyday emotional support, or “emotional support animals,” playing a specific role in supporting a person’s mental health. Whether you see your animal as a friend, family member, or someone to lean on for emotional support, you might find your furry, feathered or scaly companion brings you joy, comfort and help you cope with stress.  

Dogs that have a particularly calm temperament are sometimes trained to be “therapy dogs.” Their “handler” (their owner) will take them to public settings, like hospitals, schools, long-term care homes, and community programs where they offer comfort and emotional support. 

Animals may also be specially trained as “service animals.” These animals, most often dogs, assist people with disabilities, including physical, sensory, and mental health conditions, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  

In addition to the animals that live with us, there are also animals that work in therapeutic settings. Dogs and horses, in particular, are used in some treatment programs (known as animal-assisted interventions) for people with mental illnesses, autism, dementia or reduced mobility. In this kind of therapy, the animal is not only a comforting presence; it is part of the therapeutic process. 

Regardless of the role they play, having an animal companion in your life can have many health benefits including: 

• Lower fear and anxiety 
• Lower blood pressure and cardiovascular risk 
• Reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD 
• More physical activity, social interaction and community engagement (e.g. through dog-walking and dog-friendly public spaces) 
• Improved social functioning 
• Reduced loneliness 

Bonding with an animal can also reduce cortisol, one of our body’s stress hormones, and increase oxytocin and dopamine levels, which promote social bonding and positive emotions.  

Having an animal companion in your life does not guarantee that your mental health will improve. Other factors are at play, including the quality of your relationships with your animals, your physical and mental health and how connected and satisfied you feel in your relationships with other people.  

It’s also important to keep in mind that our relationships with companion animals aren’t always a walk in the park. A survey from the U.S. found that caring for an animal can add stresses to our lives. People with pets most commonly reported concerns about their pet aging and passing away (71%), their animal’s health problems (66%), related veterinary expenses (58%) and arranging for care while travelling (56%). 

Whether they have fur, feathers, or scales, and whatever role they play, animals often bring connection, joy and support into the lives of their humans. And in homes across Canada, the bonds run deep.