Human-Animal Interaction as a Context for Thriving and Coping in Military-Connected Youth: The Role of Pets During Deployment

Survey data from military youth were utilized to examine how the presence of a companion animal in the home impacted resilient functioning strategies and coping. Attachment to an animal was associated with positive youth development and adaptive coping for youth with a deployed family member. Pets may be an effective resource to help military children with military-related stressors (i.e. deployment).