建立互益的情感連結　A mutually beneficial bond

有證據表示，家庭內的毛小孩們有助於人類的整體幸福感，甚至對於兒童社交能力的發展有幫助。此外，動物輔助治療也被證明對傳統疾病治療有所幫助。

動物可能是伴侶、朋友、家庭成員和幫手等諸多角色，同時，我們也不能忘記他們作為”給予者”的重要價值(如：人類社會與家畜之間的經濟連結、對經濟動物的高度互依賴)。

塑造人類與動物之間連結的因素眾多，其中包括經濟價值、心理因素，以及社會或文化價值，這些因素讓我們在生活中緊密相連。

不久前，百靈佳殷格翰動物事業委託知名機構IPSOS展開一項三千人的研究，並從中獲得了關於人類與動物連結對人類益處的重要資料，並也從所有接受調查動物飼主中得到了4個關鍵的結論：愛、幸福、活力和互助。

“愛”是這次調查中最常被提及的一個字！動物給予人類無條件的愛和全心全意的信任，彼此間的互動、影響、改變和責任，成就了這一份愛。同時，動物可以讓人們獲得平靜、安全感與許多許多的樂趣。而和動物們一起完成挑戰、進行鍛煉，其患難與共的情感連結更是被所有受訪者明顯察覺。尤其珍貴的是，研究揭示了這一特殊連結對人類健康的強大正面影響。

“人類與動物的連結被描述為一種基於愛和理解的關係。”

除了人類健康，百靈佳殷格翰也始終致力於動物疾病的預防，旨在為動物創造福祉。我們對自己的工作，以及對生命所做出的改進充滿熱忱。我們不斷改善人類的生活，為社會貢獻創新進步，而也努力倡議動物為人類健康帶來的正面認知。

這份倡議並不是發生在今日，事實上18世紀的沃爾特·惠特曼(Walt Whitman)曾這麼讚美：

我想我可以回到與動物一起的生活，他們是如此的平靜和自足。

我常常久久地站在那，看著他們。

他們沒有因為條件環境流汗哀鳴，

他們不會因為黑暗而失眠，由於自己的罪孽而哭泣，

他們沒有因為討論他們神的責任而讓我噁心

沒有一個不滿意，沒有一個因為擁有狂而神經錯亂，

沒有誰頂禮膜拜另一個，幾千年前他的同種也不需要，

沒有誰比別人品格高尚，或者不滿於整個地球。

There is evidence that pet presence at home contributes to general well-being of people and even to the development of social skills in children; in addition, there are proven animal-assisted therapies complementing the benefits of traditional therapies. Animals can be companions, friends, family members, and helpers, for example. In addition, let’s not forget their significant role as providers: the economic bond and interdependence between humans and livestock animals. Factors that shape the human-animal bond are universal, and include economic values, psychological factors and social or cultural values. We seem to be all connected in the circle of life, including the environment.

Some time ago, the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit commissioned a study with the renowned institute Ipsos which gathered meaningful data on the benefits of a human-animal (pet) relationship. The outcomes included four key emotional states quoted by pet owners: affection, well-being, dynamics, and reciprocity.

Affection was mentioned most often quoting the unconditional love pets give to humans, trust with no judgement, the impact of presence of animals, connection, and responsibility for the pet as the main pillars of this state. The other states showed that pets keep us calm and make us feel safe; with pets we have fun, are challenged, get exercise, have a feeling of recognition, pride and togetherness. There is so much the research revealed about this special bond and in particular its positive impact on people’s health.

This week we celebrate the Human-Animal Relationship Awareness week, established by the Animals & Society Institute, to honor relationships between humans and animals. We in Boehringer Ingelheim are committed to prevention of disease and suffering in animals, and to their well-being. We are passionate about our work and the improvements we make to the animals’ lives, and subsequently lives of many humans, as well as the innovative advances we bring into the industry. So this week, we are proactively helping raise awareness of the importance of human-animal relationships.

There are many great stories we could share on how, in addition to our daily work, our passion translates into actions. Some of them you can find below.

And while recognizing this important week, let’s remind ourselves of the beautiful words by Walt Whitman* summarizing his appreciation of animals:

"I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained;

I stand and look at them long and long.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition;

They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins;

They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God;

Not one is dissatisfied-not one is demented with the mania of owning things;

Not one kneels to another, nor his kind that lived thousands of years ago;

Not one is responsible or industrious over the whole earth."

Footnotes

*沃爾特·惠特曼（1819-1892）：美國詩人、散文家和記者。作為一名人文學者，他身處超現實主義與現實主義的過渡期，將兩種觀點都融入了自己的作品中。他是美國最具影響力的詩人之一，常被稱作“自由詩歌之父”。

*Walt Whitman (1819-1892): an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. He is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse.