Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy
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What is it?
Owning a pet is promoted in the media as being good for health. Animal-assisted therapy is also used to help people with physical disabilities and behavioural problems, and 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?
There has been only one trial of the effectiveness of animals as a treatment for depression. This study involved a randomised controlled study of people with mild to moderate depression. The treatment group swam, played with and cared for dolphins over a two week period (animal assisted-therapy group). The control group took part in water activities over two weeks but had no contact with the dolphins. Participants in the animal-assisted therapy condition showed a greater improvement in mood than the control group.
However, the long term effects of this animal assisted therapy were not investigated. In addition, it is uncertain if the benefits were due to contact with the dolphins or the novelty of playing with these animals. Finally, there have been no trials of effect of contact with domestic pets on mood among people with depression.
Are there any disadvantages?
Contact with animals may not be suitable for people who have a fear of animals or are allergic to animal hair. Animal-assisted therapy is not widely available and may be expensive. Owning a pet is also a long-term commitment. Although pets can give affection and companionship, they require the same level of care in return.
Where do you get it?
In Australia, animal therapy providers can be found in the Natural Therapy directory at www.naturaltherapypages.com.au. Pets can be adopted from the RSPCA, pet breeders, and pet shops.
Recommendation
Although there is one promising trial of animal assisted therapy, there is insufficient evidence to recommend this therapy as a treatment for depression. There is no good evidence at present that interacting with common domestic pets helps depression.
Key references
Antonioli C, Reveley MA. Randomised controlled trial of animal facilitated therapy with dolphins in the treatment of depression. British Medical Journal 2005; 331; 1231. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1231.