Pets
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What is it?
Owning a pet is promoted in the media as being good for health. Pet therapy is also used to help people living in nursing homes and other long-term care.
How does it work?
Having a close relationship with another person is thought to help depression. A relationship with a pet may have a similar effect.
Is it effective?
Very few studies have been carried out on the effects of pet therapy on depression. Typically, these studies compare pet therapy with some other treatment or with no treatment. Most of them find no improvement in depression.
Are there any disadvantages?
Owning a pet is a long-term commitment. While pets can give affection and companionship, they require the same level of care in return.
Where do you get it?
Pet breeders, pet shops or the RSPCA.
Recommendation
There is no good evidence at present that contact with pets helps depression.
Key references
Barker SB, Dawson KS. The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Psychiatric Services 1998; 49: 797-801.
Zisselman MH, Rovner BW, Shmuely Y, Ferrie P. A pet therapy intervention with geriatric psychiatry inpatients. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 1996; 50: 47-51.