To find out more about where the human/animal bond stands in our hectic world, we reached out to Dr. Ivan Zak, the CEO at Galaxy Vets. When asked if we've grown distant from animals and the natural world, Ivan fortunately assured us that the connection between humans and animals “is only getting tighter as more and more pet owners strongly identify themselves with their pets.”

“Humanization of companion animals is a growing trend, as a recent survey revealed that 87 percent of pet parents say their pets are a core part of their overall happiness and well-being,” he explained.

Dr. Ivan also stressed that having empathy towards all the critters on earth is something essential to our core of being humans. “Being kind to all creatures, great or small, is an essential element of compassion and humility,” he said and added that “It’s important to teach children to respect and care about animals so that they grow into more empathetic individuals and live more fulfilling lives.”

Moreover, “research shows that animals are also capable of compassion; they can display empathy in many different ways such as comforting and responding to humans crying,” Dr. Ivan said. He added that when humans are going through a physical or emotional struggle, they can empathize with their furry friends and even mourn.

On the other hand, owning a pet requires great responsibility and it’s one thing to look at cute pictures of animals and fall in love with them, and a whole other when you really have to take care of them in joy and in misery. “Owning a pet is like having children. Anybody who gets a pet without researching what it takes to look after one is in the same boat as people who have kids because they are cute. This is why I’m such a strong advocate for wellness plans and pet insurance,” Dr. Ivan concluded.