Research conducted by the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom suggests that pets can help people who are living with a mental illness to manage their condition.

The study involved 54 participants with a severe mental illness such as a bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Of these participants, 25 of them identified a pet as being very important in the everyday management of their illness.

Research is also suggesting that pets have positive effects within communities and while right now it may be difficult to make new friends, a time will come when we can get out and about again ... and our pets will be right there with us. A study conducted by the University of Western Australia found that pets facilitate first meetings and conversations between neighbours, with over 60 per cent of dog owners reporting that they got to know their neighbours through their pets. Owning a pet can provide many benefits to people including companionship, health and social improvements and assistance for people with special needs.

This is even more important in a time when many are isolated in their homes and may not be interacting with friends and family as much as they normally would.

Our animal companions are vital to our general mental health and wellbeing ... a pet can help reinforce our worth and our value.

They also offer us unconditional love and support, a kind and gentle friend who doesn't judge or criticise. They don't care if we haven't brushed our hair or our teeth.

They love us just the same.

There is also strong evidence to indicate that owning a pet brings physical health benefits, and increases the amount of exercise individuals receive by walking their dogs or playing with a cat or exotic pet.

However, it's important to remember that while pets can improve our health and wellbeing, the human-animal bond is also a two-way street. We owe it to our pets to properly care for their physical and emotional health and wellbeing, even in these most difficult of times.