1. Pet therapy
By: Lily Rath

2. Origin Early Existence of Humans 18th century 19th century
Pet therapy came from the belief that animals and their spirits possessed supernatural powers.
18th century
Recorded the first use of animal therapy in hospitals for mentally ill patients
19th century
U.S. military encouraged hospitals to use dogs for therapy
Dr. Boris Levinson discovered pet therapy after accidentally leaving a dog with a difficult child
Modern Times
Used in mental institutions, prisons, nursing homes, etc.
Pets assist in life activities

3. Purpose Therapy pets are used for: Reduce stress Hospital Patients
Decrease anxiety
Depression
Companion
Reduces loneliness
Boredom
Hospital Patients
Chemo-therapy

4. Do you have any personal stories?
Method
Common reasons for pet therapy needs:
Autism
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Chemotherapy patients
Stroke Victims
Mentally ill patients
People who suffer from depression
Do you have any personal stories?

5. Does it really work? Good News Bad News
Published studies found POSITIVE results
Maggie O’Haire of Purdue University
Reviewed 30 studies on children suffering with autism 
30 different outcomes with impressive results
27 of 30 studies reported positive outcomes
Erika Friedmann and Heesook Son
Reviewed 28 studies published between 1997 and 2009
Disorders included:
Alzheimer’s, developmental disabilities, and down’s syndrome
26 of 28 studies reported positive outcomes
Animal therapy studies found NEGATIVE results
Michael Anestis
12 of 14 studies sample sizes were too small to be reliable
Studies lacked control groups
Julie Nimer and Brad Lundahl
Researchers only published what people wanted to hear
100 people…
9 Good results…
91 would have done just as well by staying home & hanging out on Facebook
Personal experiences disagree…

6. bibliography
Admin. “Admin.” Equestrian Therapy, © 2017 • GeneratePress, 26 Apr. 2014,
Giorgi, Anna Zernone. “Pet Therapy.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 4 May 2016,
Herzog, Hal. “Does Animal-Assisted Therapy Really Work?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 17 Nov. 2014, us/201411/does-animal-assisted-therapy-really-work.