Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon, for a good reason. The world in which Pokémon is set is lively, its creatures imaginative, and its battles spirited. However, Pokémon centers as much around the relationship between Pokémon and t, heir human trainers as it does the battles. Many human characters use Pokémon for more than just fighting, and form closer bonds with their Pokémon friends.
In fact, the best trainers of the Pokémon world may be the ones who know how to bring out the best that a Pokémon has to offer by teaching them to do helpful tasks.
Mr. Mime Helps Out Around the House
Outside of the Pokémon League, there is a different relationship than those based on battling -- one based on symbiosis where a human can grow with their Pokémon partner. Trainers who battle make up a small percentage of human interaction with Pokémon. Most of the interaction comes alongside Pokémon doing everyday tasks.
A prime example of this is Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, who has a Mr. Mime that helps with chores around the house such as cooking and cleaning, and he is more than happy to do it. No bumps or bruises, or putting himself in danger so that a trainer can receive the glory of a badge or winning a battle for bragging rights -- it is safe to say that Mr. Mime has a comfortable life.
Pokémon as Medical Staff and Civil Servants
What about at every Pokémon center that the protagonists visit? Nurse Joy has a Chansey (and other Pokémon) to help out with all medical procedures, and much like Mr. Mime, Chansey enjoys her work. Pokémon are used in law enforcement, and the poster-Pokémon for such a line of work is Growlithe, who works closely with Officer Jenny and her police team to keep the peace and everyone safe.
These actions may not seem like much, but think about how much harder training a Pokémon to do tasks would be than giving them an order to do what comes naturally. In the real world, telling a cat to eat a piece of meat would be a lot easier than training a cat to do tricks. A cat already wants to eat meat; it's a carnivore--training a cat to run through an obstacle course when given a signal (which is possible) is a lot harder! A Jigglypuff may be inclined to slap its opponent in a battle, but working to help patients with insomnia at a hospital is a much more valuable use of its abilities.
Another great example is Pokemon: Detective Pikachu which is set in Ryme City, a metropolis where Pokémon lived freely amongst humans with battles, and capturing them was illegal. Pokémon had many uses in Ryme City, such as a Machamp taught how to direct traffic during rush hour or Squirtles trained to work with firefighters to put out fires? In the film, unethical as this example is, a Ditto was trained to copy humans, performing espionage for the villain. Maybe a final and more moral standard is in order--Ludicolo is even seen as being able to make coffee as a talented barista, so why not grab a cup.
