With Mental Health Awareness Week taking place from 12-18 October, research from PD Insurance reveals just how deeply New Zealanders believe their pets contribute to their happiness, wellbeing and sense of connection.
PD Insurance’s Human-Pet Bond Survey, which gathered 1,840 responses from Kiwi pet owners, found an overwhelming 99.7% said their pets make their lives happier or more fulfilling.
And while it may be no surprise that love, cuddles and cuteness topped the list of reasons why, the findings suggest the benefits of pet ownership go well beyond a warm welcome at the end of the day.
62.5% said their pet helps them cope better with stress or tough times, while 57.2% said their pet gives them a sense of purpose or makes them feel needed.
One pet owner described the relationship with their dog in even more powerful terms: “My dog is my emotional support dog, he has literally saved my life and instinctively knows what to do in triggering situations.”
Michelle Le Long, COO of PD Insurance, says the findings highlight the often-underestimated role pets play in their owners’ everyday wellbeing. “We often talk about pets in terms of companionship, but these findings show that for many people, that companionship is woven into how they get through the day, whether that means having someone to come home to, a reason to get outside, or simply a comforting presence beside you when things feel difficult,” says Le Long.
Belonging matters, and pets can help build the bridge
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is ‘Belonging Matters’, and the survey suggests pets can play an important role in helping their owners feel connected to others.
51% of respondents said their pet makes them feel less lonely, while 27.3% said their pet makes it easier for them to be more social.
More strikingly, 65.1% said their pet had helped them meet or connect with people they otherwise might not have. “Pets are natural conversation starters,” says Le Long. “A walk around the neighbourhood can suddenly turn into a conversation with a neighbour, a dog park can become a community, and even standing on the street with a pet can create a little moment of connection.”
One respondent described their pet as a ‘bridge between me and the world’. “Before I had them, I kept to myself a lot. I didn’t always know how to start conversations or felt awkward around new people. But something changed when they came into my life. People would stop to ask about them, smile when they saw us together, and suddenly I had something to talk about, something warm and real.”
A reason to get up, get moving and put down the phone
The survey suggests pets are also encouraging habits that support mental wellbeing. 83.7% of respondents said having a pet has encouraged healthier routines, while 78.9% said their pet has motivated them to be more physically active. Almost half (49.8%) have made lifestyle changes because of their pet, with 36.3% saying they have reduced their screen time.
Pets can also provide a reason to get out and connect with others. “Adopting a retired greyhound means you inherit the whole greyhound community,” said one respondent. “In Tauranga there is a group that meets up monthly to walk together in different locations around the city.”
And for 25.9%, pets also help them sleep better. “Having a pet can bring structure to a day in a way that feels natural rather than forced,” says Le Long. “Those routines can give people a reason to move, go outside and be present.”
From children to grandparents, the benefits can reach across generations
The benefits of pet ownership can extend across generations. Among respondents with children, 96.9% said their pet contributes positively to their child’s wellbeing, while most (83.6%) with elderly family members said their pet contributes to their wellbeing.
One respondent described giving their 86-year-old grandmother a cat after the death of her husband. “From the moment she brought him home, everything changed. She suddenly had a reason to get up in the morning, someone to talk to, to care for, to laugh with.”
Another said sending photos and updates about their dog helps elderly relatives feel connected and brightens their day.
Buster: professional people-magnet, therapy dog and family treasure
For Le Long, the findings have a very personal example in her own dog, Buster. A qualified Canine Friends Pet Therapy dog, Buster visits a dementia unit, where his role is simple: to be there.
He doesn’t need to perform tricks. His role is about being calm, friendly and approachable around wheelchairs, walking frames, medical equipment, noise and movement. Residents may not remember him from one visit to the next, but they remember the feeling of having him nearby, a comforting presence that brings smiles, stories and memories.
Buster also makes unofficial visits to his human grandmother’s retirement village, where he is treated like a celebrity. “He is absolutely the dog you would want sitting beside someone who needs comfort, connection and a reason to smile,” says Le Long. “Buster has a way of making people softer for a moment and changing the atmosphere without saying a word.”
When the hard moments come
For some pet owners, their animals provide comfort during grief, anxiety and other difficult periods. “My dogs helped me cope with the loss of my brother by just being there in the sad moments, having cuddles, or being silly gooses and breaking up that silence with laughter,” said one respondent.
Another described how their cats helped during depression: “They didn’t ask questions or try to fix anything. They just showed up. Every morning, they would curl up beside me, their soft purring like a heartbeat reminding me I wasn’t alone.”
Another respondent said: “When I am having a panic attack one of my girls picks up on it and will sit on me.” And sometimes, the comfort comes down to something incredibly simple. “Having snuggles if sad or unwell is the best medicine!”
Le Long says these stories should not be taken to mean pets are a substitute for professional mental health support. “Pets aren’t therapists, and they can’t replace professional help that’s required when someone is struggling,” she says. “But what these findings show is the extraordinary place animals can occupy in our lives. They give us companionship, routine, affection and connection, and sometimes, simply a reason to keep going through a difficult day.”
With ‘Belonging Matters’ at the heart of Mental Health Awareness Week, the message from Kiwi pet owners is clear: sometimes belonging has four legs, a wagging tail, a wet nose or a very determined purr.
“Pets make our lives happier in countless little ways,” says Le Long. “They get us moving, get us talking, get us out of our heads and, when life is hard, they are often right there beside us.” “That kind of companionship matters.”