A few months ago or more, I made a wonderful discovery: a free streaming channel called The Pet Collective on my daughter’s Roku tv. It shows nothing but amateur videos of people’s pets and wild animals being cute and funny.

I’ve found it to be quite entertaining as well as soothing and a refreshing break from bad news and other types of programming. (It does have commercials, but not too many.) I spend a lot of time in my daughter’s room when I don’t have a nurse, and I keep the tv on for her. I think she likes the channel, too.

https://youtu.be/CpxHgaDWIsM?si=btmi5-tq51aXHfx-

Not only is it fun to watch cute kittens and puppies, it has educational content. I’ve learned fascinating facts about birds, reptiles, small mammals and other creatures that I never knew. We didn’t have guinea pigs in my family so I didn’t know how smart they are! It’s also wild to see how so many different animals can be taught to play musical instruments!

Animals are truly amazing and intelligent creatures. They’re way smarter than I thought, at least some of them. They also destroy furniture and walls and do hilarious neurotic behaviors. Some of them are quite clingy and get upset when their owners aren’t around. There are cats who create games for themselves, cows playing with yoga balls, and dogs who go nuts when their person comes home.

Algorithms can create a false impression. These videos reminded me that the world isn’t totally crazy. It’s really nice to see kind and happy people all over the world being gentle and loving with their pets instead of abusive or neglectful. If you are feeling sad or anxious, I highly recommend switching off social media or the news and watching The Pet Collective for a while. It’s also available on an app and YouTube.

Here’s what ChatGPT says about this.

“Yes, there is research suggesting that watching animals play offers real psychological and physiological benefits for humans. Here’s a quick breakdown of what scientists have found:

Science-Backed Benefits of Watching Animals Play

1. Stress Reduction & Mood Lifts

Researchers at the University of Leeds found that watching cute animal images and videos reduced participants’ heart rates and dropped blood pressure to healthier levels, with anxiety levels sometimes reduced by nearly 50%. Seeing adorable footage—like smiling quokkas—has also been shown to lift mood, enhance concentration, and raise feelings of reward in the brain.

2. Improve Focus & Productivity

A study by Hiroshi Nittono found that viewing cute animal images helped people narrow their focus and perform better at tasks requiring fine motor skills, such as playing the game Operation. More broadly, positive mood “upward spirals” triggered by things like cute animal videos can increase resilience to stress and improve life satisfaction.

3. Relaxation from Watching Play

Observing playful dogs seems to evoke joy and social connection: people often smile, chat with strangers, and feel a contagious sense of playfulness themselves. Even without structured research, anecdotal reports suggest watching animal play can be a simple path to relaxation and empathy-building.

4. Mental Health Boost from Wildlife Observation

Birdwatching, for example, has been linked to significantly improved mental well‑being—stress relief, reduced depression and anxiety, and better mental clarity. Benefits may last for up to eight hours post-observation. A study with students found that those who practiced birdwatching showed the most improvement in well‑being compared to peers in nature walks or control groups.

5. Therapeutic Interactions Still Matter

Animals offer deep therapeutic benefits in controlled settings: animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can lower stress hormones, decrease blood pressure, and boost dopamine and oxytocin—creating both physiological and emotional benefits. Simply petting animals (even outside of intentional therapy) triggers relaxation responses—marked by lower blood pressure and heart rate. Programs like zootherapy—observing or interacting with animals at zoos or farms—have proven to bring calm and joy, contributing to emotional well-being.

In Summary

Watching animals play—whether through live encounters, videos, or in nature—is more than just entertaining. It can:

Reduce stress and anxiety Improve focus and mood Foster social connection and empathy Provide lasting mental health benefits

If you find certain animals or types of play especially uplifting—like playful puppies or bird videos—incorporating those clips or outings into your routine could be a great little boost for your well-being.”