Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now

• Pets enhance the quality of life of patients especially regarding aging, cardiovascular diseases, and overall sense of wellness.
• Patients, who have a heart attack and have a companion animal, have a 5-fold increase in 1-year survival.
• Patients who are elderly and with dementia, when eating in front of a portable aquarium, have an increased lean body mass compared with patients who eat in isolation.
• The physiologic effects of petting an animal are quantifiable; they include increases in serotonin, dopamine, prolactin and oxytocin.

The animal–human bond refers to an emotional, almost existential, relationship between animals and people. From the time of antiquity, domestic animals were an important source of economic vitality, but with the changing cultural landscape, the companion animal has become a faithful friend. Overwhelming anecdotal evidence supports the healing power of this relationship. We summarize the emerging literature on the neurobiochemical and cardiovascular benefits of companion pet ownership. We address the peer-reviewed data from myriad journal articles assessing the impact of the companion animal on the quality and often the length of life of select patients.