Pets have long been looked at as having a positive effect on people for eons. It has been shown that over time people have benefited from having a pet in not only a psychological way, but also in a physical way. By integrating animals into our everyday lives, it seems only logical that positive outcomes can arise that helps to foster a better learning atmosphere. By adding an animal-human bond in a setting that may not otherwise occur, effects such as positive self-confidence, learning of responsibility and learning to interact with others can be learned.

A nursing home in New York was established that was basically the first place to use pets in a therapy type setting. When home was up and running, they used a wide variety animals (including children) that were in abundance throughout the home. Fish tanks, dogs, cats, birds - you name it! Critics would say that these tactics would have detrimental effects, but the research proved them wrong. The patients AND the staff accepted these animals as an integral part of their program - and enjoyed it. The issues that were of concerns (cleaning up, walking a dog) all went to the wayside and were not considered a problem by the staff - they just felt it was part of life. The even more amazing thing was how the patients responded.


For as long as I can remember, I have always had this overwhelming love for being around and working with animals. My parents were never really animal enthusiasts, but they did allow both my sister and I to bring the stray's home and make them our pets. Growing up we had animals of all kinds - cats, dogs, birds, horses - you name it. I guess growing up in a houseful of pets has lead me to where I am today - living in a houseful of pets.

A lot of people I meet ask if I am married or have kids, and I usually respond with "I have kids of the furry persuasion". Usually a chuckle ensues, but most people don't really understand what having a pet as a companion can be like. Sure, they have the family dog that has a fenced back yard and a dog house to sleep in, but most don't take that extra step and allow their pets to become a part of the family. To some, the fact of having your dog or cat sleep in your bed is just too much - with the hair, the slobber - whatever. So why is it every night when I curl up in bed, all 3 of my "kids" jump right in with me? For me, they are my security blankets. They expect nothing from me but a pat on the rump and to be told "good doggy" or "nice kitty".

These animals, at least mine, just want to know I will feed them, love them and give them a home. In response, they give me so much more in return. I get companionship and love, but I also have an avenue to release pent up stress and anxiety that the world brings to me every day (this is of course through being with them, petting them, etc). By just sitting with Mona at my feet or petting Patton on the back, I just can't help but smile and begin to feel the worldly horrors start to fade away. Nothing really seems so horrid when I have a soft furry "child" within my reach. They also have this keen seventh sense that lets them know when I need for them to just be a quiet soul sitting with me when I am upset. I find myself at times just laying with Mona on the bed and just thinking about how life would be without having her or any of my animals in my life. Each one brings something special to the table that is unique and helpful to me in one way or another. It's basically a partnership between me and them that seems so uneven. They expect so little from us, and they end up giving me so much more in return.

So, after stating all of this, it is no wonder that I did my Master's thesis on the effects of pet therapy. At the time, a lot of people were still unsure about the whole pet therapy business. Most felt it was too much work and that someone would have to clean up behind them. Hospital situations were even more difficult to think about using animals in. What would happen with keeping the environment sterile when a dog hair could be set free!? So within the information, I found that very few people utilized pet therapy in any type of a situation. The little that was being done was proving to be very successful, but the stereotypes of pets being unsanitary stopped many in their quests to help people.

In my opinion, animals are such a calming influence on people. You could go into all the medical research about what animals do for us - such as decrease heart rate - but basically - animals make us feel better! I don't need a medical doctor telling me that my stress reduces when I pet Mona or listen to my horse breathe into my ear. I know what it feels like to be calmed and content! I guess because I have a higher level of anxiety than most people, this is probably one of the reasons I have so many pets.