Looking for that medical facility, clinic, or hospital that encourages the practice of using pets as part of therapy? Maybe you would like to have your own pet brought in for visits. Well, unfortunately PETisphere's research has not uncovered much on this topic, but stay tuned....

Here is however, some information we think you'll find useful about service animals, those noble animals and pets trained to assist humans in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and other institutions that that have a variety of special needs. Service Animals include those leading the blind or deaf, helping the physically incapacitated, and who provide emotional stability to stressed or anxious patients as well as other human ailments

Therapy dogs, which also provide help to people, are distinguished from service animals. The use of therapy dogs is usually restricted to providing emotional or psychological comfort and support to patients. They are a positive cathartic by providing emotional stability to stressed or anxious patients in a clinical setting. Therapy dogs, and sometimes their owners if the use of the animal is part of a pet program (see below for more), are trained to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

What exactly is a “therapy animal?” This good definition is provided by CENSHARE – University of Minnesota School of Public Health. The site also gives some useful links to other similar resources.University of Minnesota School of Public Health

The philosophy of "The Land of Pure Gold Foundation" in part states: "that until man could extend his circle of compassion to include all living things, he himself would find no peace", and "that in the realm of healing, pets act as "soul menders":Land of Pure Gold Foundation-Owings Mills, Md.

This California based organization's mission is: "to facilitate delivery of the love and affection of their volunteers and their pets": Furry Friends Organization-San Jose, Ca.

Southeastern Greyhounds Club's Pet Therapy ("Patient Paws") program is one which volunteers bring their dogs to a chosen healthcare facility to provide interaction with the residents or patients:Southeastern Greyhound Club-Newnan, Ga.

Since the late 1970's non-profit TDI has been assisting special needs adults with Service Animal support: Therapy Dogs International-Flanders, N.J.

Delta Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is "improving human health through service and therapy animals". This site presents comprehensive information on the topic of service animals: Delta Society-Bellvue, Wa.

This article in "Nursing Homes" (April, 07) about the use of horses as service animals in an assisted living center is quite interesting. David Barnard, author of the article, suggests that it might be a unique use for these handsome creatures: Article

The Journal of Clinical Nursing (August, 02) examines the professional literature dealing with the question of, are animals a risk to the health of patients or the infirmed in care facilities? The authors conclude that "in a controlled health care environment in urban Europe or North America, and with responsible human behavior, the potential benefits of sharing.....lives with companion animals, either at home or in a hospital, far outweigh the apparently insignificant risks: Article

A 1999 study in New York, Missouri and Texas found that medication costs dropped in nursing homes that allowed pets:Article

The role of pets as companions to seniors was studied by The University of Guelph in Canada. It was found that pet ownership was beneficial to seniors in a number of functioning areas including ADL (Assisted Daily Living) levels:Article

"Pet Ownership may be a Factor in Improved Health of the Elderly" is the title of this study conducted in Colorado. Read more here… Article

There is some evidence that therapy dogs can improve the emotional and social functioning of Alzheimer patients in a clinical setting…Article

Horse therapy for humans? It’s growing in use to help patients with infirmities like cerebral palsy or other neuromuscular disorders. But what’s the impact of this therapy on the horses themselves? The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association sheds light on this interesting question. Read more here…Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

For Equine-assisted therapy see the following:

• Take Flight Farms
• Horse Powered Learning Center

Here’s additional information regarding Companion and Service Animals according to official standards promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.This link offers good information on service and therapy animals: definition of, roles and responsibilities, care for, and approved programs for their adoption into medical or health environments.U.S. Department of Agriculture

“Pets Can Be More than Best Friends for Older Adults” according to this article published by the School of Agriculture at Texas A&M UniversitySchool of Agriculture at Texas A&M University

This article from Slate, “Should you sleep with your dog” has a provocative title. But actually the article asks a serious question and gives some useful tips.Article

Service animal for a child? Consider these points published by the Delta Society:Article

Read about Ribbon, a pet that had amazing perception about her owner’s onset of seizures. And how she aided her owner afflicted with this condition… Article

Trained assistance dogs “visiting severely ill cardiac patients in intensive care, lowered their stress and anxiety and their heart and lung pressure significantly”. Read more… (The Pet Care Trust and UCLA Medical Center, November, 05)Article

The patients at Kaiser Permanente's Roseville Medical Center (Roseville, CA) are seeing more and more hospital-trained dogs greeting them after surgery. It’s designed to help the patients heal quicker and connect with a friendly animal.Article

And at a Seattle hospital “pets make hospital rounds, bring 'therapeutic touch' to patients”Article

Can therapy dogs help children improve their reading? Read what Therapy dogs International has to say in this interesting article… Article