Pets help to enhance human development. For the child, a pet animal encourages a sense of responsibility, caring and communication. The relationship instills confidence and friendship - qualities that can endure and grow as the child moves on through life. There is clear scientific evidence that children growing up with a pet develop better social skills and have a greater respect for all living things around them, than those who do not have the benefits of pet ownership.

Keeping ornamental fish, for example, serves as a great learning tool for children. It helps them understand about the fragile underwater ecosystem - how different species of fish can live and interact harmoniously and they can responsibly learn to take care of them in order to ensure their survival.

For adults, the pet provides mutual companionship, and the pleasures of caring for the animal gives sheer delight to the pet owner. Besides being a faithful companion, pets play a proactive role in our community -- from catching criminals to enriching the life of terminally ill children. Specially-trained canines, for example, have been known to help disabled people enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life.

Pet therapy is also gaining recognition as a viable and wholesome means to recuperation. In the United Kingdom, pets are allowed to visit children's wards and have brought many smiles and therapeutic comfort to patients. In the United States, more than half of all nursing homes, clinics and hospitals use animals in a therapeutic capacity.

Research has shown that the companionship and unconditional love and support that pets provide are truly invaluable. Case studies all over the world have shown that pets can even help their owners recover and recuperate from really serious diseases such as cancer. It is only now that we are discovering just how much pets can help improve human health.