By: Abigail Winn

According to PATH International, animal-assisted therapy is traceable back to 600 B.C. Almost 2700 years later, it is still a relevant therapeutic treatment, and comes with a multitude of benefits for physical and mental health. A 2007 study showed that patients hospitalized with heart failure had significant decreases in artery pressure when their medicinal treatments were supplemented with animal-assisted therapy. An earlier study conducted in 2004 showed boosted immune systems in college students who spent time with an animal. Furthermore, a 2002 study showed significant positive correlation between decreased fear and anxiety before a painful procedure and the use of animal-assisted therapy in relieving the feelings.