While early on animals served as mostly food or work/pack animals to humans, the bond between humans and animals has grown into so much more! While many animals are still used to provide food, and as work or pack animals, even more animals are kept as pets and companion animals.
Today, the majority of U.S. households keep a pet of some sort and today animals receive more protection in the law from abuse and mishandling than ever before.
For example, oxytocin is a hormone recognized which can cause a lot of positive changes in the human body and mind. These changes include slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and creating a sense of calm, comfort and focus. Studies have shown that positive human-animal interactions increases oxytocin levels in the human brain and that oxytocin levels are also increased in dogs when interacting with their owners versus when interacting with strangers. So while our pets help us feel good, we help them feel good too!
Check out these awesome infographics about The Pet Effect from The Human Animal Bond Research Institute:
In light of all of this research about how important and beneficial animal companions are to humans, it's no surprise that human-animal bonds are something authors LOVE to write about!
Tales of friendship between animals and their humans are as classic as they come, and we're not just talking cats and dogs. Pigs, birds, horses, and many more animals have all inspired loving tales of loyalty and adventure!
You've probably at least heard of some of these classic novels with great animal stars and co-stars:
But stories starring important animal friendships aren't just a thing of the past! Animals and their friendships with humans continue to inspire authors to write beautiful new stories every day.
Check out some of my favorite animal friendship tales from the past few years:
Alone by Megan E. Freeman (2021)
When twelve-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She's alone--left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. With no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet access, Maddie slowly learns to survive on her own. Her only companions are a Rottweiler named George and all the books she can read.
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (2017)
When his veterinarian mom brings home a stray baby skunk that needs rehabilitation before it can be placed in a wild animal shelter, Bat, who has austim, resolves to prove that he is up to the challenge of caring for the skunk permanently. Don't miss the sequel Bat and the Waiting Game.
Wish by Barbara O'Connor (2017)
Charlie Reese is sent to live with a family she barely knows, but with the help of a skinny stray dog who captures her heart and a neighbor boy named Howard, she learns what the real meaning of family may be.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (2017)
A wise old oak tree that stands as the neighborhood's "wishtree," where people write wishes on cloth and tie them to her branches, shares her days with her crow friend and helps the community embrace differences when new neighbors move in and are not warmly welcomed. By the Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan & Crenshaw.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker (2016)
When his father enlists in the military and makes him return his beloved pet fox to the wild, Peter, who has been sent to live with his grandfather hundreds of miles away, embarks on a journey filled with astonishing discoveries in order to be reunited with his fox. Don't miss the long-awaited sequel out this September Pax, Journey Home.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin (2014)
Struggling with Asperger's, Rose shares a bond with her beloved dog, but when the dog goes missing during a storm, Rose is forced to confront the limits of her comfort levels, even if it means leaving her routines in order to search for her pet.
Can't get enough? Here are the newest animal-friendship novels on my to-read list:
