Studies have shown and proven that pet therapy is effective in helping people both physically and mentally as long as a suitable animal is used it would be an excellent supplemental treatment.

The Utah Animal-assisted Therapy Association's definition of pet therapy is the use of animals to promote health and healing. This type of therapy is applicable to person of any age, from children to senior citizens and the benefits are holistic.

2. Healthspring.net studies have shown that petting animals can lower down a person's blood pressure and trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain which helps elevate mood. Those children who were visited by therapy pets in the hospital has lesser pain.

3. It also has psychological benefits according to healthspring.net. Health care workers with increased job pressure benefits from the proximity of therapy animals and these animals also lowers their stress levels. There are also studies which shows that pet therapy can help patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

4. Aside from dogs and cats, other animals can be used too with positive results like fish in an aquarium help lower stress and birds are effective pets too. Horses and dolphins are effective pet therapy for autistic children.

5. The Utah Animal-Assisted Therapy Association recommends that animals that are used for pet therapy are calm, trained and very social.

Pet therapy is good not only mentally and physically but also Physiologically, mostly for people with depression. It helps in various ways like:
We Develop More Empathy
We Develop An Outward Focus
Nurturing
Rapport
Acceptance
Entertainment
Socialization
Mental Stimulation
Physical Contact like Touch
Physiological Benefits like relaxation and etc..