Man’s best friend. Four‑legged family. Fur baby. There are many names humans call the animals they choose to bring into their homes as pets. Since the dawn of time, pets have been at our sides, offering unconditional love and companionship. As adults age, their social connections and support systems can shrink as children build families of their own or friends move away. Today, solo agers are a fast-growing segment of older adults, putting them at risk for loneliness and isolation. One unique option emerging to combat isolation and loneliness in older adults is to consider bringing a pet into their lives. Researchers at Mather Institute found that pets helped with important life transitions or simply provided a regular pattern of life.