The shelf · Pets, robots and AI companions
Does The Healing Power of Pets hold up?
The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy, by Marty Becker (2002)
A vet's case, built on stories and research, that pets prevent, detect and help treat illness.
The short answer
Overstated. Pets are linked to some health benefits, but the evidence cannot show cause, and nothing supports the word 'cure'.
The claims, checked
Pets reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Holds with conditions The American Heart Association says pet ownership is probably associated with lower risk, but healthier people may simply be the ones who keep pets.
People with pets visit the doctor less and recover faster from serious illness.
Contested A 2017 review for older adults found small samples, few long-term studies and publication bias. Pets also add to fall risk for people aged 75 and over.
Evidence: Gee, Mueller and Curl, 2017
Pets can help prevent, treat and sometimes cure conditions including depression and Alzheimer's.
Does not hold No evidence supports 'cure'. Animal-assisted therapy reduces depressive symptoms moderately, mainly in care settings.
Evidence: Gee, Mueller and Curl, 2017