Alligators, snakes, tarantulas. People use exotic animals for emotional support. And sometimes, it gets them into trouble.

Nicholas Olenik was told his emu Nimbus was not a pet. It was illegal livestock. He had bought the flightless bird to help him after his father and brother died.

Walking his feathered friend got Olenik out of the house again. Last month, a judge ruled that Nimbus is a "companionSomebody that keeps you company. animal".

"Pets make us human," says expert John Bradshaw. We have formed close relationships with animals for thousands of years.

Florence NightingaleAn English nurse who cared for patients during the Crimean war, and is known for her pioneering work in statistics and social reforms. introduced therapy animals during the Crimean WarA conflict between Russia and an alliance of nations, including France, Britain, and the Ottoman Empire. The war lasted from 1853 until 1856.. She gave Jimmy the tortoise to wounded soldiers. "A small pet is an excellent companion for the sick," she wrote.

Psychoanalyst Sigmund FreudAn Austrian psychoanalyst who was one of the world's foremost authorities on psychology in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Although his ideas have been discredited in the scientific community, he remains influential for literary scholars. brought his dog Jofi into therapy sessions. Research shows canines can smell emotions.¹

But psychotherapist Yoni Yehuda says it is more than cuddles and emotional sensitivity. Caring for animals gives people a sense of purpose and control.

A study in the US showed puppy-petting reduces stress at university.² Two hundred years ago, the poet Lord ByronAn English poet (1788 - 1824) known for both beautiful short lyrics and entertaining epic poems. was told dogs were prohibited on campus. So he brought a bear.

Today, emotional support animals include Wally the alligator³ and Dexter⁴ the peacock. But can they be true friends?

Psychologist Patricia Ganea says we are taught to imagine that animals have human desires and thoughts. But this can "lead to inappropriate behaviours" like buying wild animals as pets.

But biologist Carl Safina argues it is better than saying we have nothing in common: "We should get better acquainted with the animals we share the world with."

Olenik's victory was bittersweet. While waiting for the court decision, Nimbus went to stay on a farm. There she made a new best friend. Another emu called Oreo.

Yes: Humans can be cruel and cause each other emotional suffering. Animals do not judge us or hold grudges. The simplicity of these relationships can heal people who have been hurt by human interaction.

No: Animals are a poor substituteA stand-in in place of something else. for human friendship. Creatures offer comfort and company. But they do not challenge us and force us to grow. And they do not share our ideas, hopes and fears.

Or... We need both types of friendship in our lives. Our pets give us peace and a stronger connection to nature. But we must live in society, and our animal friends can teach us to make better human ones.