How to use Pets?

2026 calendar and we just got our first Pet(s). I'm not sure how they are supposed to work, so if you can help that would be GREAT! I get the energy use (same as companions), but +1 Danger Sense (which isn't an ability my character has)? Is that useless for me then? I have Student so +1 (I'm guessing) means that I now get a +3 to that if I use the pet?