BMC Psychiatry February 2018 PMID 29402247

The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence.

Helen Louise Brooks, Kelly Rushton, Karina Lovell, Penny Bee, Lauren Walker, Laura Grant, Anne Rogers

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Mentions

262
Peak: 12 in Feb 2019
across 7 sources since Apr 2018

Extended reach

316,391
potential audience

Total likes

3,528

Video views

113,130

Mentions per month

Apr 2018 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News186 articles
  • X / Twitter38 posts
  • Blogs18 articles
  • Facebook9 posts
  • YouTube8 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the group demonstrates a generally positive perception of the study, with comments like 'Pets can be so valuable' and mentions of how animals help with loneliness, showing an appreciation for the evidence. The tone is optimistic yet somewhat casual, emphasizing shared experiences and support, which underscores a moderate impact on raising awareness and encouraging social support efforts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the positive role of companion animals in supporting mental health, reflected in supportive phrases and references to the review’s findings.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show interest through sharing social discussions, related hashtags, and sharing personal or general observations about the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many posts cite research studies, include quotations from reviews, and encourage sharing personal experiences, indicating moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the significance of the topic for mental health awareness and community sharing, though few posts suggest transformative or groundbreaking implications.

Abstract in brief

  • Pets can support people with mental health issues by offering emotional comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose, especially during tough times.
  • The evidence about the benefits of having pets is mixed, with some studies showing positive impacts, others showing no effect, and a few highlighting potential burdens like emotional or practical challenges.
  • Overall, pets seem to play a complex role in managing mental health, providing significant support but also posing some difficulties, and their impact varies depending on individual circumstances.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
The University of Manchester
@OfficialUoM · X

#LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions @BioMedCentral Psychiatry Paper ➡️ https://t.co/MnOeIevzFt https://t.co/a49OrvSA54

Feb 20, 2019 · 25 likes · 7 shares · 103,402 followers View post →
MCHP
@ManHealthPsych · X

Pets can be so valuable in supporting mental health. Let's see your furry/feathered friends who helped you through the tough times... @Dr_HBrooks @karina_lovell https://t.co/m4tyJftLxl

Oct 26, 2020 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 2,407 followers View post →
Ghaïs Guelaïa
@GeekNfit · X

@CharlesLacr0ix Aux personnes atteintes de maladies mentales https://t.co/qjwo2ww0k3

Nov 12, 2022 · 16 likes · 12,958 followers View post →
Helen Brooks
@Dr_HBrooks · X

Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4NL #pets #mentalhealth #lockdown https://t.co/Hv5mipUfLZ

Jun 24, 2020 · 10 likes · 4 shares · 870 followers View post →
UoM Biology, Medicine and Health
@FBMH_UoM · X

#LoveYourPetDay - it's good for you! Research from @KelbelRushton of @OfficialUoM shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions @BioMedCentral Psychiatry Paper ➡️ https://t.co/nKCX195tOr https://t.co/vJ0rxxgW5B

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 11,553 followers View post →
CHAIM Centre
@CHAIM_Centre · X

It's #LoveYourPetDay! Here's a study to remind you of the mental health benefits of loving your pet(s)! https://t.co/CNN2oAsHZv

Feb 20, 2019 · 2 likes · 3 shares · 576 followers View post →

All mentions

Enzo Memebriel
@EnzoSuperGabri1 · X

@Kingara_y @RicardoM300ANTF Pues los perros de compañia ayudan con la salud mental -https://t.co/jKEMWy2ke2 -https://t.co/pBwy7jquB8 - https://t.co/kIrSm2zp3P Que digas eso demuestra que no has leído una mierda.

Mar 5, 2025 · 1 like · 846 followers View post →
mmsm54
@sdlmuela · X

The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and … https://t.co/8Fp7NXfRUE

Feb 25, 2025 · 24 followers View post →
CRUX Psychology
@cruxpsychology · X

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #MentalHealthMatters #pets #doglover #catlover #anxiety #psychology (Hawkins et al., 2021) https://t.co/vD7zin7o58 (Brooks et al., 2018) https://t.co/uLf8qf5G74

Oct 8, 2024 · 403 followers View post →
مبادرة نفس
@NafsPsyd · X

Brooks,HL., Rushton,K.,Lovell, K.,Bee,P.,Walker, L.,Grant,L,& Rogers,A.(2018).The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems:a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence,BMC Psychiatry,18(31), 1-12.https://t.co/dQ0R5Mfl0O

Feb 9, 2023 · 14,958 followers View post →
Ghaïs Guelaïa
@GeekNfit · X

@CharlesLacr0ix Aux personnes atteintes de maladies mentales https://t.co/qjwo2ww0k3

Nov 12, 2022 · 16 likes · 12,958 followers View post →
Urbanvet.id
@urbanvet_id · X

1) Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L., & Rogers, A. (2018). The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 1-12.

Oct 10, 2022 · 79 followers View post →
Psych_GSU
@PsychGsu · X

RT @OgechiNwabeke: @PsychGsu This study describes the power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problem…

Dec 7, 2020 · 1 share · 31 followers View post →
Ogechi Nwabeke
@OgechiNwabeke · X

@PsychGsu This study describes the power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems. https://t.co/eX08AmJJuK

Dec 7, 2020 · 1 share View post →
APS Health Psych
@APS_HealthPsych · X

RT @ManHealthPsych: Pets can be so valuable in supporting mental health. Let's see your furry/feathered friends who helped you through the…

Oct 26, 2020 · 3 shares · 1,115 followers View post →
Dr Charlotte Huggett
@CharliHuggett · X

RT @ManHealthPsych: Pets can be so valuable in supporting mental health. Let's see your furry/feathered friends who helped you through the…

Oct 26, 2020 · 3 shares · 1,851 followers View post →
Liz Hoffman
@LizHoffmanbmc · X

RT @ManHealthPsych: Pets can be so valuable in supporting mental health. Let's see your furry/feathered friends who helped you through the…

Oct 26, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,023 followers View post →
MCHP
@ManHealthPsych · X

Pets can be so valuable in supporting mental health. Let's see your furry/feathered friends who helped you through the tough times... @Dr_HBrooks @karina_lovell https://t.co/m4tyJftLxl

Oct 26, 2020 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 2,407 followers View post →
teamskinnybae
@Teamskinnybeach · X

RT @Dr_HBrooks: Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4N…

Jun 26, 2020 · 4 shares · 2,052 followers View post →
LivUni Psychology
@LivUniPsyc · X

RT @Dr_HBrooks: Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4N…

Jun 24, 2020 · 4 shares · 2,107 followers View post →
Anne Rogers
@aerogers1 · X

RT @Dr_HBrooks: Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4N…

Jun 24, 2020 · 4 shares · 591 followers View post →
Mental Health
@MentalHRetweet · X

RT @Dr_HBrooks: Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4N…

Jun 24, 2020 · 4 shares · 6,744 followers View post →
Helen Brooks
@Dr_HBrooks · X

Pets help mediate feelings of loneliness and isolation. I know my dogs are helping me at the moment! https://t.co/QSSxbDD4NL #pets #mentalhealth #lockdown https://t.co/Hv5mipUfLZ

Jun 24, 2020 · 10 likes · 4 shares · 870 followers View post →
Prof Linda Gask
@suzypuss · X

@GOWmac @ChildAnimals @ScottishSPCA @CompAnimalPsych @BritishVets @SCASuk From former colleagues https://t.co/nZ9DCtRqwB

Mar 30, 2020 · 1 like · 8,189 followers View post →
Anne Rogers
@aerogers1 · X

RT @Dr_HBrooks: ‘Pets help you feel like you’re like everyone else’. See our recent review exploring the power of companion animals for peo…

Feb 25, 2020 · 21 shares · 591 followers View post →
Helen Brooks
@Dr_HBrooks · X

See @mattblack100's new poem inspired by our work on the role of #pets to support people living with #mentalhealth conditions https://t.co/QSSxbDD4NL https://t.co/UAg88YBs47

Jul 8, 2019 · 870 followers View post →
Neil Thin
@NeilThin · X

@Work_Life_You And a couple more fairly inconclusive systematic reviews: https://t.co/0wnTXDaIAb and https://t.co/hLYfHh0RwK, plus one slightly more optimistic one https://t.co/bzx6oV0Yb1

Mar 23, 2019 · 2,860 followers View post →
Kimberly Matheson
@Diversity_Prof · X

RT @CHAIM_Centre: It's #LoveYourPetDay! Here's a study to remind you of the mental health benefits of loving your pet(s)! https://t.co/CN…

Feb 20, 2019 · 3 shares · 625 followers View post →
Quality Initiatives - Carleton U
@CU_Quality · X

RT @CHAIM_Centre: It's #LoveYourPetDay! Here's a study to remind you of the mental health benefits of loving your pet(s)! https://t.co/CN…

Feb 20, 2019 · 3 shares · 807 followers View post →
CU Health Sciences
@HealthScienceCU · X

RT @CHAIM_Centre: It's #LoveYourPetDay! Here's a study to remind you of the mental health benefits of loving your pet(s)! https://t.co/CN…

Feb 20, 2019 · 3 shares · 569 followers View post →
CHAIM Centre
@CHAIM_Centre · X

It's #LoveYourPetDay! Here's a study to remind you of the mental health benefits of loving your pet(s)! https://t.co/CNN2oAsHZv

Feb 20, 2019 · 2 likes · 3 shares · 576 followers View post →
Anita Davies
@AnitaDavies1 · X

RT @FBMH_UoM: #LoveYourPetDay - it's good for you! Research from @KelbelRushton of @OfficialUoM shows that pets can help their owners manag…

Feb 20, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,581 followers View post →
NWAS Research & Development
@NWAmb_Research · X

RT @OfficialUoM: #LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions…

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,919 followers View post →
Ayşe ÇİLER ⚡Aisa Chiler ❣
@CilerAyse · X

RT @OfficialUoM: #LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions…

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,943 followers View post →
Ruth Norris
@ruthlady · X

RT @OfficialUoM: #LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions…

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,536 followers View post →
Udoye Springs
@springs_pixel · X

RT @OfficialUoM: #LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions…

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,065 followers View post →
The University of Manchester
@OfficialUoM · X

#LoveYourPetDay! Research from @KelbelRushton shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions @BioMedCentral Psychiatry Paper ➡️ https://t.co/MnOeIevzFt https://t.co/a49OrvSA54

Feb 20, 2019 · 25 likes · 7 shares · 103,402 followers View post →
NMSW Research
@NMSWResearch · X

RT @FBMH_UoM: #LoveYourPetDay - it's good for you! Research from @KelbelRushton of @OfficialUoM shows that pets can help their owners manag…

Feb 20, 2019 · 3 shares · 781 followers View post →
UoM Biology, Medicine and Health
@FBMH_UoM · X

#LoveYourPetDay - it's good for you! Research from @KelbelRushton of @OfficialUoM shows that pets can help their owners manage their mental health conditions @BioMedCentral Psychiatry Paper ➡️ https://t.co/nKCX195tOr https://t.co/vJ0rxxgW5B

Feb 20, 2019 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 11,553 followers View post →
Oddree
@AudreyHorner6 · X

RT @filimasini: The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrativ…

Jan 10, 2019 · 2 shares · 147 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @filimasini: The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrativ…

Jan 10, 2019 · 2 shares · 6,707 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @filimasini: The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrativ…

Jan 10, 2019 · 1 share · 6,707 followers View post →
filippo masini
@filimasini · X

The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence https://t.co/91XCrQOkoo

Jan 10, 2019 · 2 shares · 769 followers View post →
filippo masini
@filimasini · X

The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evide... - PubMed - NCBI https://t.co/F3XXTfQslo

Jan 10, 2019 · 1 share · 769 followers View post →
David Cochrane
@dlgcochrane.bsky.social · Bluesky

The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2 #bmcpsychiatry

Apr 27, 2018 View post →