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Human-animal connections shape human health, emotional strength, and resilience, often in unnoticed ways.

Relationships with animals aren't merely sentimental—they benefit both physical and psychological health.

Interacting with animals can reduce stress, ease loneliness, and support recovery from illness.

Humans around the world form deep and varied relationships with other animals—connections that shape daily life, emotional well-being, and resilience. In his highly acclaimed book Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions, veterinarian and scholar Rustin M. Moore explores the science, history, and societal impact of these relationships, challenging the idea that they are merely feel-good experiences. Instead, he argues that human–animal connections influence physical health, emotional well-being, and the strength of communities in ways we are only beginning to fully understand.

Moore has spent decades studying and advocating for the role animals play in human health and community well-being. Here's what he had to say about his seminal work.

Marc Bekoff: What inspired you to write Unleashing the Bond?

Rustin Moore: The journey that led me to write Unleashing the Bond began unexpectedly in 2016 with a last-minute decision. Just before a deadline, I submitted an application to speak at the TEDxOhioStateUniversity, not realizing that it would spark a conversation that would grow far beyond that talk.

For years, I had been reflecting on the relationships I witnessed between people and animals—connections that shape health, resilience, and well-being in ways often overlooked in traditional medical and scientific conversations. When I was selected as a speaker, I worked with student organizers to develop a presentation on the human–animal bond. On the TEDx stage, in a talk later known as The Power of a Pet, I shared stories and scientific insights about how animals influence human lives and how humans shape the well-being of animals in return.

The response was........

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