Definition of ‘value’ – “the regard that something is held to deserve; importance or worth.” Definition of ‘pet’ - “a domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure.” Pets have value to humans in a variety of ways. Many people keep pets for companionship or pleasure but this value extends much further than this into work assistance, mental and physical healing, parental fulfillment and education as this essay will demonstrate. Although all pets have a value to humans the majority of research has been centred on dogs, and as such, we will concentrate on this area.    more »