11 Wholesome And Unusual Animal Pics To Give You Some Serious Animal Therapy

The connection between humans and animals is very real. Research has shown that petting a furry friend reduces stress and provides much-needed emotional support, which we often struggle to find in others.

That’s why many people find solace in heartwarming dog videos or adorable cat Instagram accounts.

Pictolic is also here to spread soul healing with a new collection of the cutest and most unusual critters from the Facebook page “Wholesome Animal Images." From cats in Hawaiian shirts to lizards in toy cars, these lovable creatures are guaranteed to make your day a bit brighter.

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With so many animal pictures online, it’s no surprise that 68% of US households have a pet. That equates to 84.6 million homeowners who are happy to come home to their loyal companions at the end of the day.

There's no denying that our furry friends have a positive impact on our overall well-being, and scientists are taking a closer look at their different types to see how exactly they affect our health.

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Dr. Layla Esposito at News in Health’s Human-Animal Interaction Research Program explains that there’s no one answer to how a pet can help somebody. If a person’s goal is to be more physically active, then they might benefit from having a dog. If one wants to reduce stress, sometimes all it takes is watching fish swim for a calming effect. “So there’s no one type fits all,” she adds.

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Various studies show that owning a pet reduces stress and loneliness, lowers blood pressure, increases feelings of social support, and improves mood.

These benefits are usually associated with more traditional pets, like dogs and cats. However, a home aquarium could have just as positive an effect on health. After all, there’s a reason why doctor’s offices have fish tanks in them.

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