"Animals possess traits such as loyalty, friendliness and playfulness, which humans find desirable.

"Nowadays people consider their pets part of the family, while some even refer to them as their children.

With all the methods of modern communication such as email, cell phones and more, pet owners are seeing the value of the wordless communication between themselves and their pets.

"Another reason humans enjoy the company of pets is that most have the ability to figure out what we're thinking just by our body language.

Pets help draw out the kindest impulses of humanity. They also assist us in unlocking a deeper part of ourselves, a part that is more compassionate, less arrogant, and less hurried.

"As well as owning pets, there is a popular new trend that's sweeping retirement homes everywhere.

There are now live-in, and visitor pets in these residences.

Pets either live in the facility, or a community group brings in animals weekly to interact with the residents.

This has been proven to be an effective method of therapy for many seniors as the love from animals can reduce the length of recovery time from illness, and surgery.

"The bond between humans and pets is not only an emotional bond, but it also physiological. Studies have shown pets enhance quality of family life, by minimizing tension between family members, and encouraging compassion for living things.

As well as being great companions, pets offer health benefits."

Clare Babbidge of BBC West Midlands reports that, "one Birmingham care home has gone a step further and set up an on-site Pet Farm.

"It's hard not to smile when there's a pig snuffling your toes, and the aptly-named Snuffles and her orange and black-spotted friend Anna are causing quite a stir in their new home. The two Kune Kune pigs were mere piglets when they arrived at Neville Williams House. The Pet Farm... also has chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.

"Ann Rainsford, manager of the Selly Park care home, said the scheme was a success.

"It's made a lovely atmosphere within the home, with the staff and with everybody," she said. "The home has 50 elderly residents and about half have some form of dementia."

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"The small farm in the garden was paid for by donations and residents can visit it whenever they like. They feed, handle and stroke the animals, which in therapeutic terms is known as Animal-Assisted Activities. One resident, Christine Creighton, 79, said she loved the animals, especially the pigs who she nicknames "Charlie". She pats them and enjoys feeding them bananas and other delights. She was brought up on a farm in Limerick, Ireland, and said the animals reminded her of that time.

"The moment I saw them I wanted to pick them up in my arms," she said.

Ms Rainsford said, "Kune Kune pigs were chosen because the breed was known to make good companions and can be trained. He plans to add ducks at the farm and an aviary.

"Mr Fellows said he could already see the farm's benefits.

"What I see is residents who are excited and improvements in their general well-being. There seems to be far more visits from relatives and grandchildren appearing more often which helps residents. It also gives a reason for being outside more and provides a discussion topic."

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