Millions of Americans benefit from companion animals, with studies showing that pets help to improve mental health by reducing stress and increasing happiness. According to Data USA, there were 4.28 million people in the animal-assisted workforce.
Pet therapy involves much more than assistance dogs for the blind. Today, we recognize that therapy animals can help lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension and reduce anxiety in those in the hospital.
Understanding the Terms Therapy Animals: These are animals, often dogs, that are trained to provide comfort and support in facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Service Dogs: These are highly trained animals that work to assist individuals with disabilities, such as guiding people who are blind or helping those with mobility impairments. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): These are animals that provide emotional support and comfort to their owners. There is no official registry, and numbers for ESAs have risen significantly. Statistics on Therapy and Companion Animals Service Dogs: There are approximately 500,000 service dogs in the United States. Pet Ownership: According to the 2024-2025 National Pet Owners Survey, 71% of U.S. households, or about 94 million families, own a pet. Mental Health Impact: Many pet owners report positive effects from their pets, with 80% believing their pets bring happiness and emotional support, and 55% believing their pets reduce anxiety and depression, according to Mental Health America (MHA).
Reports show that 20% of American households have acquired at least one pet since 2020, and according to a survey of 1500 respondents, 49% believe that owning a pet helps to improve their mental health.
MHA research suggests that nearly 70% of households own a pet, and of those 80% feel their pet brings them happiness and emotional support. 55% feel their pet helps to reduce anxiety and depression. While 66% feel that their pets help to relieve stress. Indeed, it is hard to deny the power of pets, especially as a source of comfort and support.
These statistics are not surprising; many people find it hard not to be positively influenced by the cuteness of a little ball of fur offering unconditional love. Science even backs up the positive effects, showing that pet ownership can help improve cardiovascular health and physical activity; decrease stress and lower blood pressure; as well as reduce feelings of loneliness, which increases the risk of a range of chronic health conditions.
Pets significantly boost mental health by providing emotional support as well as reducing stress and anxiety through physical interaction and hormone release, fostering companionship, creating a sense of purpose and routine, in addition to encouraging increased social interaction and physical activity. This combination of benefits can alleviate feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation, ultimately enhancing overall psychological well-being.
How Pet Therapists Are Fixing Mental Health
Across the United States, furry companions are emerging as unsung mental health heroes, reducing stress, anxiety, and loneliness while boosting emotional resilience in Americans of all ages.
Therapy animals are no longer confined to hospitals. Colleges host “puppy rooms” during finals, corporate offices offer dog-friendly spaces, and airports even deploy therapy dogs to calm travelers.
Legacy Healing Center reports that as a result, Americans experience reduced stress and higher mood stability after just a few minutes of interaction. The center’s research highlights that therapy pets are increasingly being integrated into mental health programs for maximum benefit.
The Data Speaks Emotional & Psychological Benefits: 86% of US pet owners report improved mental health; 69% say pets lower stress and anxiety; 66–69% cite companionship and emotional support (HABRI, APA). Physical & Cognitive Benefits: Dog owners engage in more exercise, with 11% lower cardiovascular disease risk and 17% lower cancer risk. Older pet owners enjoy fewer hospital visits and better cognitive function. Social Benefits: 54% of pet owners feel more connected to others, reducing isolation; 27% met new people through their pets. The Jobs of Pets as Micro-Therapists Oxytocin Boosters – Stress-Relief Companions: Therapy dogs, cats, and even miniature horses engage in structured interactions such as petting, brushing, or short play sessions with students, office employees, or hospital patients. These tactile activities stimulate oxytocin release, lower heart rate and cortisol, and improve mood almost instantly. Structured Therapy Integration – Program Assistants: In colleges and workplaces, therapy animals participate in guided sessions alongside mental health counselors or mindfulness coaches. For example, dogs may accompany students during stress-management workshops, sit in therapy rooms during counseling, or be present during meditation breaks in offices, helping participants regulate emotions and remain engaged. Emergency Stress Relief – On-Demand Calming Agents: Airports, hospitals, and public spaces deploy therapy animals to areas with heightened anxiety. Dogs walk alongside long-security lines to calm travelers, visit emergency wards to reduce patient distress, or join waiting rooms to lower agitation levels in anxious individuals. Their presence alone has been shown to reduce panic episodes and diffuse tense environments.
“Pets are quietly revolutionising mental health care in the US,” said Ben Fox, a mental health expert, specializing in addiction and recovery at Legacy Healing Center. Drawing from his personal journey in recovery, he co-founded the center to provide compassionate, evidence-based care.
“From college students overwhelmed by exams to adults navigating high-stress jobs, animals offer a tangible, physiological way to manage anxiety. Studies show that even brief interaction with therapy dogs can reduce cortisol levels and stimulate oxytocin, producing immediate calming effects. Beyond the physiological, pets provide emotional stability and social connection, reducing feelings of isolation, particularly among the elderly and single adults.”
“While pets are not a replacement for professional care, they act as micro-therapists, complementing traditional mental health treatment and promoting mindfulness, routine, and emotional growth. In programs that integrate pet therapy with counseling or structured stress-management strategies, benefits are amplified, creating holistic support for mental well-being. As workplaces, colleges, and public spaces increasingly adopt these practices, we’re seeing measurable improvements in mood, stress regulation, and overall mental resilience. The science is clear: pets are active agents in psychological health,” says the mental health expert.
This article was created at the WHN News Desk using some of the information supplied by Leah Daly on behalf of the Legacy Healing Center, a premier addiction treatment provider with a focus on holistic healing and locations across the United States offering personalized, evidence-based care in a supportive environment, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.