Megan Pleva

Being part of an adoptive family isn’t about walking on eggshells or memorising rules. It’s about understanding that every interaction you have - every calm hello, every kept promise - becomes part of how a child learns to feel safe.

Research has shown that the human-animal bond goes far beyond affection. Animals can support attachment, regulate stress responses, and even influence the chemistry of the human body.

This blog explores the four main attachment styles: secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-ambivalent (sometimes called resistant), and disorganised. For each one, we look at where it comes from, the science behind it, how it may present in children’s daily lives, and examples of why it might develop - not only through trauma but also through ordinary family circumstances.