This section talks about the human-animal bond and interaction and the ability for such bond to help one another. This entire section is original, in every sense of the word, as it has been created based on interviews we conducted with several people.

Karrie is 35 years old and she recently went through an ugly divorce. When she was suddenly forced into living alone, Karrie said, "I was scared. I felt lonely, and felt unimaginable pain." Karrie could not remember a time in her life when she felt that alone. She did not have any children and her emptiness grew stronger, and in her words, "I felt very insecure and vulnerable."  Karrie decided to get a Golden Retriever, Baxter, for a companion animal. In due course, Baxter turned out to be Karrie's best source of affection. Baxter, who was abandoned by a family that did not care about him found Karrie's love and affection very refreshing and Baxter made Karrie laugh, loved, safe, and protected! Ever since Baxter came into Karrie's life, she also found herself exercising more with Baxter. She also made new friends and acquaintances on her calm and relaxed walks.

Mona is 84 years old and is a patient at a nursing home in New Hampshire. She has a roommate who is 89 years old. Although they share a room, Mona used to feel depressed and sad quite often. She felt like she didn't have the will to live and did not care too much about taking her medications or food on time. Mona's roommate felt very sorry for her, but nothing she did cheered Mona up. One day, Mona's son brought his dog to visit his mother. The dog, Terri, is a small Jack Russell Terrier and she loved Mona as much as Mona loved her. As a nursing home staff said to us, "...the minute Terri entered the room, there was this spark in her eyes and Mona suddenly came alive." Since then, Terri has been coming to visit with Mona regularly and these visits have been exceptionally therapeutic for Mona. Mona finds being with Terri to have a very caring and calming effect on her.  Whenever Terri visits Mona, she feels like she is home. Seeing Terri's hair all over her nursing home blanket makes Mona feel less like she is at a nursing home, and more as if she is at home.

Sara is 41 years old and suffers from severe depression and anxiety and takes a lot of medications for it. She said that she did not feel comfortable in any social setting and always wanted to withdraw and curl into a shell. She said, ".when anyone smiled or approached me I used to get nervous." She said she used to hide away in bathrooms and pretend to read or be lost in something hoping no one would approach her. On one occasion, Sara said that a black Labrador approached her and sat next to her. Sara had never had a pet, and she said the feeling was odd, but comforting in a strange way. Seeing the dog wag its tail viciously and looking into her eyes, made Sara talk to and pet the dog. People around Sara, came to Sara and they all started talking about the dog. Sara realized that this was the first time she was able to talk with very little anxiety; the dog gave her the strength and courage to mingle and feel comfortable in social situations. Sara has since adopted a rescue dog, a black Labrador, named Corbin, who is with her at all times. They both share such a strong bond that it is hard to believe they have known each other for barely a year. Sara strongly believes that without Corbin she just cannot survive.