Barn & Soul by Dalby Farm
Welcome to Barn & Soul, a podcast brought to you by Dalby Farm - where we will explore the heart of "pet farm" life, learn about critically populated (if not outright) endangered farm breeds, and highlight the deep connections between animals and humans which we strive to encourage and preserve.
The farm has been Kendall's (your host) family since 1861 but it wasn't always a sanctuary for endangered farm breeds or an educational venue for the community. This podcast will touch upon aspects of the farms history, offer insight and advice as it pertains to owning farm animals as pets- and arguably most importantly - share vital information about these endangered farm breeds; what their roles are in our past AND why they're needed in our future.
New Episodes: Wednesdays at 9PM EST
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đź”” Subscribe for more farm life insights, rare breed conservation, and the behind-the-scenes of running a small farm! Remember, all the animals on our farm our PETS! They live out their days as educational ambassadors to our community far & wide! Please follow us here on Youtube!
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At least 50% of all shop revenue directly helps fund the care & upkeep of our 160 year old educational family farm and all the endangered breeds who live there.
Barn & Soul by Dalby Farm
Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 36 - Why Humans Need Animals (More Than We Admit)
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🎙 Barn & Soul Podcast - Where farming meets heart, history, and a mission to preserve the past for a more sustainable future. Episode 36 - Why Humans Need Animals (More Than We Admit).
If animals are no longer required for survival, why are we still so deeply drawn to them?
In this episode of Barn & Soul, we explore the historical, psychological, and emotional reasons humans continue to need animals in modern life. From the Agricultural Revolution to therapy dogs, from childhood empathy to rising loneliness statistics, this conversation looks at the human–animal bond through both research and lived experience.
Animals helped build civilization. They powered agriculture, transportation, communication, and trade. Today, they regulate our nervous systems, shape childhood development, reduce stress, and quietly anchor our sense of connection in a world that often feels disconnected.
The question is not whether animals are useful.
The question is whether humans are fully human without them.
Until next time, take care—and don’t forget to appreciate the rare and wonderful things in life.
References and Sources
American Pet Products Association
National Pet Owners Survey and Industry Spending Reports
https://www.americanpetproducts.org/
Human Animal Bond Research Institute
Research on pet ownership, loneliness, and mental health
https://www.habri.org/
U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (2023)
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
National Institutes of Health
Human–Animal Interaction Research and cortisol studies
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
American Heart Association
Dog ownership and mortality risk meta-analysis published in Circulation
https://www.ahajournals.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health Benefits of the Human–Animal Bond
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Service Dogs and PTSD Research
https://www.research.va.gov/
University of Cambridge
Research on children’s empathy and pet ownership
Waltham Petcare Science Institute
Child development and pet interaction studies
https://www.waltham.com/
United States Department of Agriculture
Census of Agriculture and agritourism data
https://www.nass.usda.gov/
United States Department of Agriculture
History of domestication and livestock agriculture
https://www.usda.gov/
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
History of animal welfare in urban settings
https://www.aspca.org/
Grand View Research
Animal-Assisted Therapy Market Projections
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/
Morgan Stanley Research
Global Pet Industry Growth Projections
https://www.morganstanley.com/
International Society for Anthrozoology
Hu