: Companion animals are documented as effective shields against the "ravages of loneliness," often being treated as family members with high-value attributes.
: Animals are often integrated into the family's "emotional system," contributing to overall balance just as a human member would. AI Companions Reduce Loneliness - Harvard Business School 8 : Companion and Companion
Research in this field typically covers how the relationship between a companion animal and its human companion functions as a support system: : Companion animals are documented as effective shields
: Some researchers define companionship as a "mutualism" where both species evolve together because the benefits of the partnership outweigh the costs at a community level. 8 : Companion and Companion