- Promoting reminiscence by stimulating the memory and mental activity and encouraging people to talk about pets they themselves have kept in the past.
- Providing simple undemanding company and companionship.
- Reducing stress, it has been proved that the act of stroking an animal can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels.
- Animals are unique in that they demonstrate instinctive and non-judgmental understanding. In this way, they are excellent “ice-breakers,” with people who, for one reason or another, do not (or perhaps cannot) communicate with either their carers or their peers but are inspired to talk to an animal.