A new study points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice.

In the absence of human-to-human contact, in millions of households worldwide, animals have stepped into the breach for many people, providing much-needed comfort via cuddles, pats and a constant physical presence.

A new study published by University of South Australia researchers points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice.

The Journal of Behavioural Economics for Policy (JBEP) paper outlines how pets have a crucial role to play in an era where human-human contact can be life endangering.

Lead author Dr Janette Young says physical touch is a sense that has been taken for granted — even overlooked — until COVID-19 visited our door earlier this year.

«In a year when human contact has been so limited and people have been deprived of touch, the health impacts on our quality of life have been enormous,» Dr Young says.

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Materials provided by University of South Australia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.