For some people, a dog is a pet. For others, a dog is family. They celebrate birthdays, worry when their dog is sick, rearrange travel plans, and even refer to themselves as "dog moms" or "dog dads." To outsiders, this level of affection can seem excessive. But psychology says there may be more happening beneath the surface.
Research in attachment, caregiving behavior, and human-animal relationships suggests that the emotional bond many people feel toward dogs is not simply affection. In some cases, it activates many of the same psychological systems involved in nurturing children and close family members.
