The Bond between Pets and Humans.

 The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors essential to the health and wellbeing of both. This includes, among other things, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of people, animals, and the environment. 

       The veterinarian's role in the human-animal bond is to maximize the potentials of this relationship between people and animals.The AVMA recognizes: (1) the existence of the human-animal bond and its importance to client and community health, (2) that the human-animal bond has existed for thousands of years, and (3) that the human-animal bond has major significance for veterinary medicine, because, as veterinary medicine serves society, it fulfills both human and animal needs. 

 What is my dog thinking when he stares at me?

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 Let's face it: Dogs love their owners, but when they stare expectantly, it's not usually because they're trapped in a reverie of devotion. Rather, it's because they're thinking they might get something. ... Before you try it, be aware that staring directly into a dog's eyes can be considered a direct challenge.  Dogs that are timid, fearful, dominant, friendly or aggressive view eye contact in the same way, and react to the eyes like we do. To a dog, a stare from another dog, animal or human is rude and can mean a challenge. When you think about it, we're uncomfortable when someone stares at us, too.