Turns out, most dog owners don't actually treat their pups like human babies—despite what those "dog mom" coffee mugs might suggest. But new research shows that caring for a dog still taps into our deep-seated need to nurture, offering emotional benefits similar to parenting (minus the college tuition).

Editor’s Note: This flips the script on stereotypes about obsessive pet parents while highlighting why dogs matter beyond companionship. In a world where loneliness is rising and birth rates are falling, understanding how pets meet emotional needs helps explain why we keep welcoming them into our homes—and hearts.