More Than a Pet: What Science Says About the Owner-Dog Bond (And Why It Matters for Your Practice)
· 4 min read
As a veterinary professional, you see it every day. A client doesn't just say their dog is "unwell"; they say she's "sad," "anxious," or "jealous" of the new puppy. For years, these descriptions have been part of the daily dialogue in clinics worldwide. A fascinating study published in the National Library of Medicine (PMC8274477) now provides scientific weight to what we've always known intuitively: owners perceive their dogs as complex emotional beings, and this perception is the bedrock of the human-animal bond. This isn't a challenge to navigate—it's your greatest asset.