Pets for Therapy

Studying Animals as Pets

The subject of human-pet relationships has recently become the focus of serious scientific study. Since 1980, important conferences have been held world-wide to investigate the human-pet relationship. This subject has proved to be of interest to scientists in various different fields including veterinary surgeons, biologists, human behaviourists, specialists in paediatric and geriatric medicine, psychologists, general practitioners and social workers. Folklore has long recognised the value that pets have as a natural therapeutic aid for certain conditions and certain types of person. These scientific studies are confirming that pets make life more interesting for some people and act as a psychological aid for people who are deeply withdrawn.

The subject is very wide and is now beginning to benefit from continuous research but there are two particular areas where pets can be proved to have special advantages – in the case of children and in the case of old people.