Why Pets Are Good for Your Mental Health

Most pet owners would agree that spending time with furry family members is a joyful and healing experience. And while there’s no shortage of anecdotal evidence that our pets make us happy, there is a growing body of research that helps explain how they benefit our mental health and overall wellness, also known as the “pet effect.”

Health Matters spoke to Dr. Melissa Peskin, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and a clinical assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, about the ways that pets may contribute to our mental health and well-being.

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