They say dogs are man's best friend; I say animals are humankind's best friend.

I've always loved animals, but my appreciation for them was solidified when I got my first cat at 8 years old. My parents had promised my sister and I that we could have a pet once we got settled back in Florida, after having lived in Virginia for a year. The day we adopted Bailey was one of the best days of my life.

If every kid had a pet growing up, I really think the world would be a better place. If everyone treated people the way animals do, there probably would be a whole lot more love going around than there currently is.

As someone who grew up with a variety of animals--a cat, a dog, hamsters, hermit crabs, fish, a bird, a bunny and more--I truly believe they all had a role in molding the type of person I am today. Sound silly? It's really not.

Having a pet teaches kids responsibility. They're living, breathing creatures with needs that must be met, just as we are. Feeding, walking, exercising and taking care of pets are all tasks that kids can do easily. Parents often argue that they end up taking care of the pets--OK, sometimes that's true--but by ensuring the kids incorporate daily care taking into their everyday routines, it should become less of a fight and more of an inherent sense of responsibility.

Pets are also clinically proven to offer health benefits. According to WebMD, dog owners walk more and have lower blood pressure than those who don't. Petting your furry friend is also soothing and helps lower blood pressure and stress levels. This automatically leads to better moods and an overall happier outlook on life.

As someone who has long dealt with anxiety and depression--and, more recently, PTSD--I can totally vouch for this. My childhood cat, Bailey, was a massive factor in my anxiety-coping methods. He was my unofficial therapy/emotional support animal, and cuddling and petting him always seemed to help. He would let me hold his paw and just love on him whenever I needed to.

My current cat, Indie, is less cuddly, but man does she ever know how to make me laugh! This cross-eyed, snaggle-toothed little cat gets so hyped up and runs, jumps, bounces off things and plays with anything and everything. In her rare cuddly moments, she likes to curl up on my chest and purr away. I don't know how I would have survived living alone for a year without her.

And because of the animals I've had over the years, so many doors and opportunities have opened up that normally wouldn't have. When we adopted Bailey at the SPCA Tampa Bay as a kitten, it made me realize that I have a heart for shelter animals and wanted to give back to the shelter that gave me one of the best gifts I've ever received. I attended their Thumbs Up For Animals summer camp for a few years, and later became a junior counselor and shelter volunteer.

Shortly after we adopted my dog, Casey, from the same shelter, we discovered 4-H. That led to nearly six years of learning to show dogs at 4-H dog shows, including the Florida State Fair. It's also where my sister and I learned public-speaking and organization skills, as we had to give an illustrated talk each year as part of our end-of-year projects.

With those experiences as prime examples, pets are also awesome for socialization! They give pet owners and animal lovers common ground, are social magnets and can even help ease social anxiety.

If nothing else, every kid should have a pet because animals are notorious for showing unconditional love. Because of my animals growing up, I always had a friend, a source of comfort and a source of laughter and happiness no matter what. Every kid deserves a pet, and every pet deserves a kid who will love it right back.