Wellness in the Public Interest

Can Animals Improve Human Well-Being?

November 6, 2025
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Do animals improve human well-being?

In this video Jamie Peyton, DVM, a veterinarian in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the impact of both pets and wild animals on human health and wellness.

Animal interactions can improve both mental and physical health, says Dr. Peyton, and “when we look at animals overall, they really play a role in our everyday life. Whether you own a pet or you have a friend who has a pet. I think having that interaction, you know, whether it’s just as minor as taking a walk and hearing bird singing or seeing that squirrel, they influence our physical, mental and spiritual health.”