70% of families reported that obtaining a pet increased family happiness.

68% of the families viewed their pets as full family members.

62% reported that their pets usually-to-always had “people status.”

60% of families reported that obtaining a pet increased expression of affection in their family.

52% of families reported that obtaining a pet increased family time together.

77% of the families reported that pets understood what family members said

73% of the families reported that the pet communicated back to them.

50% of families reported that the pet stayed close when family members were upset.

44% of the families said that their pets sometimes-to-always tried to diffuse tension when between two family members. (Example: A dog trying to get a couple’s attention away from their fighting.)

(Source: Cain (1985) employed the conceptualization of family therapist Bowen (1978) who contended that the family comprises a system that can include pets. Cain surveyed 896 military families with pets throughout the United States.)