Citation

Shoib S, Hussaini SS, Chandradasa M, Saeed F, Khan T, Swed S, Lengvenyte A. Ann. Med. Surg. (Lond.) 2022; 80: e104153.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Surgical Associates, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104153

PMID

36045797

PMCID

PMC9422226

Abstract

... Humans have been in contact with pets for thousands of years. We often form strong attachments with our pets, and pet ownership is known to provide physical and emotional well-being in children, adolescents, and adults [14,15]. For instance, in northern Israel, a human skeleton holding a puppy was discovered and is estimated to be 12,000 years old [16]. In the 9th century, animals were used to treat the disabled in Belgium. In England, during the 1700s, rabbits and chickens were part of therapy for the mentally ill. In the 1800s, West Germany used farm animals and horses to treat patients with epilepsy. James Bossad released a publication titled 'The mental hygiene of Owning a Dog', followed by a publication by Borris Levinson titled 'The Dog as a Co-Therapist' [17]. In the 1970s, psychiatrists and many psychotherapists reported using animals in the treatment, and research on the effects of this type of treatment started to emerge. The 'humane society' conducted a program called "pet mobile", in which animals were brought to different nursing homes to interact with residents [16]. As the years went on, the use of animals in the therapeutic process grew, and continues to expand in various therapy programs...

Language: en