Spending Time with Pets: The Therapeutic Effects of Bonding with Animals

The Comfort of Companionship

There is something deeply comforting about the soft thud of a purring cat curled up beside you. As someone who has shared her life with a fair few furred (and finned) companions over the years, I can say with certainty that pets are more than just animals we care for — they are family, therapists, walking buddies, and daily sources of joy. They remind us to slow down, to feel, to connect — even on the hardest days.

Furry Friends and Fond Memories

Growing up, our first cat was a regal Siamese blue point named Oscar. He had the grace of royalty and the attitude to match. When we moved halfway around the world, Oscar went to live with my grandparents — a bittersweet parting softened by knowing he’d be adored.

I also fondly remember my uncle and grandmother’s cat, who had the utterly brilliant name “Come On Den” — because, naturally, that’s all she’d respond to. It always made me smile hearing a grown man call repeatedly into the garden, “Come on den, come on den!” as neighbours curiously looked out from behind their curtains! These early memories built the foundation of my lifelong love for animals and the joy they quietly (or not so quietly) bring into our lives.

Bewitched by Tabitha and Samantha

Throughout my life, a number of four-legged family members have padded into my story. As an adult, my first cat was named Dempsey — after a TV show, naturally! Most recently, we welcomed two gorgeous cats, Tabitha and Samantha, named after the charming witches from my favourite classic TV show Bewitched.

Tabitha was so strong-willed and not to be messed with, yet she gave a good cuddle when she was in the mood. Always graceful and clever. While Samantha — still with us today — is turning into the cuddly queen of the house. Now in her older years, she moves with more deliberation, but her love of treats and lap time remains unchanged. There is something incredibly grounding about her quiet companionship — a reminder that love doesn’t always need words.

The Quiet Therapy of a Cat’s Purr

The science agrees: spending time with our pets is good for our wellbeing. When we stroke a cat, our brain releases oxytocin — the “bonding hormone” — and reduces levels of cortisol, our stress hormone. That rhythmic motion, the soft fur beneath your fingers, and the gentle purr vibrating in the air — it’s a therapy session in disguise.

It’s in these small, repetitive acts that we’re offered a moment of mindfulness, a break from busy days and buzzing minds. A reminder that healing can happen in stillness.

Swimming Into Stillness

However, not all therapy has whiskers. I’ve often found myself mesmerised by the calming motion of fish gliding through water. Watching them swim gently in a tank can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety — it’s a form of meditation.

There’s real science behind this too: studies show that aquariums can calm our nervous systems, offering a tranquil escape in an often chaotic world. In those moments, I’m reminded that peace doesn’t always have to be profound — sometimes, it’s just watching bubbles rise.

The Healing Power of Dog Walks

And then, of course, there’s the joy of our four-legged friends… dogs. Our beloved family dog, Jessie, was both an enthusiastic walking coach and a champion tail-wagger. Those daily walks? They weren’t just good for her — they were good for me, too.

The routine, the fresh air, the shared delight in sniffing (well, she did most of that) — it was a gentle reminder to stay present. To look up. To smile at a stranger. To just be in the moment, tethered not by obligation, but by love on a leash.

More Than Pets: Lifelong Healers

Each pet has brought something different to my life, but all have brought love. In their own way, they each offer therapy: not the formal clinical kind, but the kind with quiet presence, unconditional affection, and soft reminders that connection, in any form, heals.

They’ve seen us at our best and our worst. They’ve waited at the door, snuggled beside us through tears, and celebrated life’s smallest wins. Whether purring, barking, swimming or simply watching — our animals love without condition. And in return, we’re reminded of how to do the same.