What is the nature of the connection between people and animals? Or, put another way, how do the relationships that form between humans and our animal companions have profound influences on our lives? From beloved family companions to therapy animals, search and rescue canines, and other animals who help their human partners heal, learn, and grow, there are compelling reasons to believe that animals and people are inextricably and deeply connected to one another.
In Heartfelt Connections: How Animals and People Help One Another, author and social psychologist Anne E. Beall explores the relationships that occur between humans and animals, and she describes the many people whose lives have been changed tremendously by animals. With narratives and research about horses who heal, dogs who help children read, cats who save the lives of their owners, and pigs, sheep, ducks, and llamas who help reduce stress and lift the spirits of people, Beall shows how animals are in action across the United States at nursing homes, at hospitals, and at rehabilitation centers—and are making a difference in the lives of many people.
Beall finds that even a household pet can make people feel better about the world and about themselves, and these pets can also provide comfort and friendship in times of need. And as therapy and rehabilitation animals help victims of abuse, trauma, and even war overcome their own challenges, the bond between humans and animals grows even stronger—a deep connection that is truly heartfelt.