What’s common between John Wick’s character from New York and Sumit, a writer from Goa? They both deeply adore their pets.
“When Helen died, I lost everything. Until that dog arrived on my doorstep. A final gift from my wife. In that moment, I received some semblance of hope. An opportunity to grieve un-alone.” There’s a reason why John Wick’s plot is so relatable. When he says, “It wasn’t just a dog”, there aren’t many dry eyes in the room.
For Sumit, meeting his companion animal “was love at first sight,” he recalls. He fondly remembers the moment he saw Chia on a friend’s Facebook wall—fawn-colored, standing in the backseat of a car, eyes gleaming. “I just knew that if I ever had a companion animal, it had to be her.” The only hitch? “My partner was terrified of dogs.” But with some gentle persuasion, they agreed to foster Chia… and never looked back.
Chia didn’t just change their household—she transformed it.
“I have full conversations with her,” Sumit smiles. “She tilts her head, listens like a true friend, and never judges.”
Over time, more than 10 foster and adopted animals came through their doors. “My partner and daughter now love having animals around.”
This sentiment extends beyond dogs to all sorts of animals that make their way into our lives. What is it about our dynamic with animals – ones that we cannot speak to, that don’t pay taxes, that don’t even load the dishwasher, that we get so attached to? If you’ve found yourself wondering this, don’t worry—you’re in good company. Pets have a magical knack for worming their way into our hearts and homes, offering silent support and unconditional love.
In fact, 86% of pet owners feel that their furry (or scaly) friends have a positive impact on their mental health. Before you know it, they’re your best friend, family, confidant—and these days, even your therapist. Yes, you heard that right: pet therapy is now a legit profession.
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) taps into this special bond between humans and animals to help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness, while also boosting social interaction and emotional well-being.
Turns out, your pet’s emotional support skills are worth way more than belly rubs!
How does pet therapy help people?
Radhika’s life took a turn for the better when she adopted Pachi, her chatty cat. Each morning, without fail, Radhika is woken by Pachi’s loud meows demanding breakfast. “I literally wake up to her screaming for food,” she laughs. It’s a small routine, but it’s enough to get her out of bed on those days when motivation is hard to come by.
Pachi’s presence helps Radhika stay grounded when her thoughts begin to spiral. “Her meowing or just being chatty with me snaps me out of overthinking,” Radhika shares. Even in the middle of a busy workday, when the weight of responsibilities feels overwhelming, a quick glance at Pachi is all it takes to remind Radhika to step away from the chaos. “I’ll get up to stretch, spot her, and suddenly I’m cuddling or playing with her,” she says with a smile. “It’s the perfect dose of serotonin.”
We’ve seen a similar bond depicted in After Life. In that series, Gervais’ character is saved from his darkest days by his dog, Brandy, whose companionship offers silent support in ways words can’t. While TV shows might exaggerate certain aspects, the emotional bond between humans and animals is anything but a fiction.
In fact, 62% of pet owners say their pets help reduce stress and anxiety, and interacting with animals can trigger the release of feel-good hormones like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin. These hormones can lift spirits, reduce feelings of anxiety and isolation, and promote a sense of happiness.
It’s not just about the good vibes, though—pets can also encourage social interaction and communication. 69% of pet owners share that their pets offer them companionship, which is especially beneficial for people who struggle with social skills or have difficulty expressing their emotions. For Radhika, this is exactly the case.
“Pachi adds so much value to my life,” she reflects. “She can’t water my plants or cook me meals, but her presence is powerfully supportive.”
Beyond the emotional support, Radhika has found that caring for Pachi has also helped her cultivate a greater appreciation for the little things in life. “It’s made me more curious and open,” she says. “I feel grounded, grateful, and present—all of which are so important in anyone’s mental health journey.”
Who can benefit from pet therapy?
At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), travelers can now find a moment of calm through the Pawfect initiative, where nine dogs are stationed at Terminal 2 for passengers to interact with.
Originally popular before the pandemic, this pet therapy program is back to help ease travel-related anxiety and bring comfort to those on their journeys. The airport and dogs are frequented by a wide variety of humans showcasing that there’s no specific personality type that can benefit from pet therapy – it’s for everyone.
Pritha’s connection with animals mirrors this healing power. “Cats weren’t part of my world until I moved to Goa,” she says. Over the years, cats became her anchor, especially during the 15 years she navigated depression. Watching them play and cuddling with them gave her an unexpected comfort. Even a simple moment, like a dog offering a quiet pet during a grooming session, provided her the grounding she desperately needed.
“My animals aren’t just pets—they’re my support system, my quiet healers, and the reason I keep going.”
Studies show that interacting with animals can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and even increase dopamine, the chemical linked to happiness and relaxation. Programs like therapy dogs in hospitals or equine-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD have gained widespread recognition. Pet therapy isn’t just about emotional support; it also plays a crucial role in physical rehabilitation, mental health treatment, and social development. It can be particularly beneficial for the following groups:
• Individuals with mental health conditions: Pet therapy can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, autism, and other mental health conditions.
• People in long-term care: Pet therapy can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, encourage socialization, and provide comfort for individuals in long-term care facilities.
• Children and adolescents: Pet therapy can help children and adolescents cope with emotional challenges, develop social skills, and improve their overall well-being.
• Individuals with physical health conditions: Pet therapy can also be used to reduce stress and improve the quality of life for individuals with physical health conditions, such as cancer or chronic pain.
At the airport, and in Pritha’s life, animals provide more than companionship—they offer emotional healing when it’s needed most.
What are the different types of pet therapy?
Pet therapy takes many forms, from trained service animals assisting individuals with disabilities to emotional support animals helping people manage anxiety and stress.
For Aakanksha, her cats, Dash and Mogu, are regulars in her online therapy sessions. “When things get too intense, my therapist asks me to bring one of them in and pet them while we do grounding exercises. It has worked 100% of the time,” she shares.
She credits both cats for helping her through some of the darkest times of her life. “Dash never left my side during my depressive episodes. Him purring next to me all day was a kind of healing I never expected.” While Dash is the calm, steady presence, Mogu is a playful burst of energy, always ready to make her laugh. “Mogu’s antics lighten the mood,” she says, adding that her pets are a big reason she’s been able to make progress on her mental health journey.
As research continues to highlight the profound impact of human-animal interactions, various therapeutic approaches have emerged to cater to different needs:
• Therapy animals: Therapy animals offer companionship and emotional relief, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. While they undergo training to be gentle and responsive in various environments, they are not classified as service animals and do not have legal access to all public spaces.
• Service animals: Service animals, often dogs, are specially trained to assist individuals with disabilities. They help guide the visually impaired, aid the deaf, and support those with mobility challenges. Some can even detect drops in blood sugar or sense an oncoming seizure, providing life-saving alerts. These remarkable companions are more than pets; they are dedicated caregivers who ensure their owners’ safety and independence.
• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): ESAs provide companionship and emotional support to individuals with mental health conditions. They are prescribed by a mental health professional but do not require specialized training. ESAs help their owners manage anxiety, depression, or PTSD, but they are not considered service animals and have limited legal protections.
• Pet-facilitated therapy: This involves incorporating animals into a structured therapeutic setting, often led by a therapist or healthcare professional. These animals help patients relax, express emotions, or engage more effectively in therapy sessions. Unlike ESAs, which support a specific owner, pet-facilitated therapy animals assist multiple individuals in clinical, hospital, or rehabilitation settings. Recently, this has also extended to include other animals like cats, guinea pigs, horses, and more.
What types of animals can offer pet therapy?
For Muskan and her long-distance partner, guinea pigs came to the rescue. “My boyfriend and I are in a long-distance relationship—he’s in Assam, and I’m in Goa,” she shares. “He was struggling with loneliness, work stress, and family pressure. He found a maladaptive solution in alcohol.” But that changed when he brought home two guinea pigs.
“Having them gave him a sense of purpose,” she says. “He’s still lonely at times, but he’s doing much better.” Now, his favorite part of the day is showing them off. “He excitedly sends me videos of them eating every day. It makes him so happy.”
But the list of animals that can support mental health is surprisingly diverse. While dogs and cats are the most well-known therapy animals, comfort can come in many forms:
- Horses (equine therapy) – Used in Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT), horses help individuals with mental health conditions, PTSD, and physical disabilities by promoting emotional regulation, confidence, and motor skills.
- Rabbits – Soft, quiet, and affectionate, rabbits can help reduce anxiety and provide a calming presence, making them excellent therapy animals for children and individuals in assisted living facilities.
- Birds – Parrots and other birds can offer companionship, cognitive stimulation, and emotional support through their vocalizations and interactions. They are particularly beneficial for people struggling with loneliness or depression.
- Miniature pigs – Intelligent and social, miniature pigs have been used in therapy settings to provide comfort, encourage interaction, and help individuals with sensory processing disorders.
- Reptiles (turtles, snakes, and lizards) – Though unconventional, reptiles can offer therapeutic benefits, particularly for individuals who prefer low-maintenance pets. Their slow, deliberate movements can have a grounding effect.
- Fish (aquarium therapy) – Watching fish swim in an aquarium has been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation, making it a great therapy option for individuals in high-stress environments.
Where can you get pet therapy in India?
Pet therapy is gradually gaining popularity in India, with various organizations and initiatives offering animal-assisted therapy across the country:
1. Therapy and assistance organizations
- Animal Angels Foundation (Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore) – One of India’s pioneers in animal-assisted therapy, offering sessions in hospitals, schools, and mental health centers.
- Fur Ball Story (Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore) – Provides therapy dog visits to schools, offices, and healthcare centers to help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Pawga (Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune) – A unique initiative combining pet therapy with yoga, allowing people to de-stress by interacting with dogs.
2. Equine-assisted therapy centers
- Heal with Horses (Pune, Maharashtra) – Specializes in Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) for individuals with anxiety, PTSD, autism, and physical disabilities.
- REINS (Delhi NCR) – Provides horse therapy sessions for children and adults with special needs.
3. Pet cafés and animal shelters
- Therapy pet cafés (Various Cities) – Some pet cafés, like Cat Café Studio (Mumbai) and TherPup (Bangalore), offer relaxing environments where visitors can de-stress with friendly animals.
- Animal shelters – Many rescue organizations allow visitors to spend time with dogs and cats, which can have therapeutic benefits. CUPA (Bangalore) and Friendicoes (Delhi) are examples.
4. Hospitals and special therapy programs
- Some hospitals and mental health centers in major cities are integrating pet therapy into their programs. It’s best to check with specific institutions to see if they offer animal-assisted therapy.
5. Private practitioners and therapists
- Some psychologists and mental health professionals incorporate therapy animals into their sessions. Platforms like Practo or MFine can help locate specialists offering pet therapy in India.
In the end, our connection with animals reflects our connection with nature itself. They ground us, heal us, and remind us of the balance we’ve forgotten. Whether you view it through a spiritual, scientific, or personal lens, the bond between humans and animals is undeniably powerful.
