Human-Animal Bonding

Nature is diverse and co-existence is the rule of nature. Humans are not its ‘only’ creation; there are numerous other creatures as well, such as animals, whom Mother Nature has given birth to. Like humans, they too deserve to live their lives to the fullest. Nature has instilled a peculiar instinct in both humans and animals, probably due to which they have shared a distinctive yet quirky connection from time immemorial.

- Priyanka Kaushal

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has defined the human-animal bond as a “mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals.”

Since ages, this relationship between humans and animals has evolved through various phases – from being prey to humans’ hunting instincts to being their hunting partners, from being a medium of carriage and travel to being their aide in farming, from being protectors of humans to being their soulful companions! According to Bayer, a life science company, “the human-animal bond has evolved for more than 15000 years.” Apart from providing protection and service to people, animals also used to serve them during wartime. On this, US Army Medical Department Journal (AMDJ) made a point, “these animals not only provided protection, but they could also offer stress relief and a sense of pride to their human counterparts.”

Independent of debate, whether animals met human needs or was it the other way round, this close and intimate co-existence ideally provided a positive and pragmatic emotional experience on both sides.

In an urban setup, increasing proximity of humans with animals has helped to eclipse the ancient features and uses of the latter, which in some cases have become redundant (hunting instinct of humans). Thus, in cities, dogs and cats are usually kept as mere pets.