Are pets better friends than people? Nicholas Olenik says an emu helped his mental health. But his bird friend is not the strangest beast humans have turned to for support.
Man wins battle to keep the love of his life
Are pets better friends than people? Nicholas Olenik says an emu helped his mental health. But his bird friend is not the strangest beast humans have turned to for support.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
Alligators, snakes, tarantulas. People use exotic animals for support with their feelings. And sometimes, it gets them into trouble.
Nicholas Olenik was told his emu Nimbus was not a pet. It was livestockDomestic animals that are found on farms, such as sheep or cows. and against the law. He had bought the flightless bird to help him after his father and brother died.
But last month, a judgeThe person in a court of law who decides how the law should be applied. said that Nimbus is a "companionSomebody that keeps you company. animal".
"Pets make us human," says expertSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. John Bradshaw. We have formed close relationships with animals for thousands of years.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Florence NightingaleAn English nurse who cared for patients during the Crimean war, and is known for her pioneering work in statistics and social reforms. gave Jimmy the tortoise to wounded soldiers. "A small pet is an excellent companion for the sick," she wrote.
Expert Yoni Yehuda says it is about more than cuddles. Caring for animals gives people a sense of purposeA reason for doing something. .
A study in the US showed puppy-petting reduces stress at universityWhen people leave school, they can go to university to study more and get a degree. .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 banned at his university. So he brought a bear.
But can animals be true friends? Some say we should stop imagining that animals think like humans. This can lead to people buying wild animals as pets.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Are pets better friends than people?</strong></h5>
Yes! Humans can be very mean to each other. But an animal will never say anything mean to you. Animals can be very loving.
No! Having pets is nice, but you need human friends more than anything. Human friends share ideas, hopes and worries - and can help each other in many ways.
Livestock - Domestic animals that are found on farms, such as sheep or cows.
Judge - The person in a court of law who decides how the law should be applied.
Companion - Somebody that keeps you company.
Expert - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Florence Nightingale - An English nurse who cared for patients during the Crimean war, and is known for her pioneering work in statistics and social reforms.
Purpose - A reason for doing something.
University - When people leave school, they can go to university to study more and get a degree.
Lord Byron - An English poet (1788 - 1824) known for both beautiful short lyrics and entertaining epic poems.
Man wins battle to keep the love of his life

Glossary
Livestock - Domestic animals that are found on farms, such as sheep or cows.
Judge - The person in a court of law who decides how the law should be applied.
Companion - Somebody that keeps you company.
Expert - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Florence Nightingale - An English nurse who cared for patients during the Crimean war, and is known for her pioneering work in statistics and social reforms.
Purpose - A reason for doing something.
University - When people leave school, they can go to university to study more and get a degree.
Lord Byron - An English poet (1788 - 1824) known for both beautiful short lyrics and entertaining epic poems.