A review of the impacts and benefits of human-animal relationships

Abstract

Animals, both domestic and non-domestic, have played a crucial role in our social history for thousands of years. They appear in myths and literature dating from the prehistoric times to the present, and are vital to human culture, economy, and psychology. A review of the existing literature has found that domestic animals and humans can confer many mutual physiological benefits to one another through stress reduction. Non-domestic animals in both zoos and in the wild present similar benefits to humans. Interaction with wild animals also increases interest in education and conservation, which are now key elements to the survival of many endangered species.