Not only do dogs immediately lighten the mood in any environment they happen to be in, but they are also sensitive to the emotional state of the humans around them.
A cat’s warm, furry body and purrs have been shown to alleviate stress. Simply petting a cat makes a child’s body produce anxiety-relieving hormones – it can even reduce their heart rate.
Guinea pigs are adorable little pets and look to their owners as pack leaders. This means that they check in with the emotional state of their human family.
With the right care, hamsters can provide a lot of stress relief for children. They are relatively easy to care for and children can be involved in feeding them and cleaning out their cages.
Rabbits can be kept as indoor or outdoor pets. Most are happy to be held and they can form strong bonds with their owners.
Scientific studies have shown that observing fish improves relaxation and anxiety. It’s common to find aquaria in medical establishments and schools because of their calming effect.
Horses have a stable heart rhythm which may explain why humans feel calmer when they are around them. You don’t even have to ride a horse if you don’t want to.