[pantelisk]

I 've seen people react with a "oh so wacky japan" attitude when something like this pops up. But I agree with you, this is nothing more than a form of therapy.

> Another reflected, "I had been slack about visiting the hospital, but I went because he came with me."

I have seen multiple people be much more eager and diligent in taking a pet to the vet, than taking care of theirselves (due to fear, shame, and an if you ignore it long enough mentality) this hits hard.

[dkersten]

For me personally, I'm more likely to take a pet to the vet because I'd feel guilty about neglecting a pet, while I can neglect myself without feeling guilty (just like I do when I knowingly eat too much junk food or don't exercise enough or whatever -- I know its bad, but I can ignore it).

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

Well, in the US at least a vet is significantly less expensive.

[vonmoltke]

Depends on what you need. I just paid three times more to get my dog a flu shot than it would have cost me to get for myself without insurance.

I agree, though, that doctors for non-humans are generally cheaper than those for humans.

[birdyrooster]

And in my experience pet insurance is more generous than human insurance